With Winter Olympics over, L.A. is officially on the clock for 2028 Summer Games - Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
by Thuc Nhi NguyenFebruary 23, 2026
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The Winter Olympics have officially come to a close in Milan-Cortina, with Los Angeles set to take over as the host city for the next Summer Games in 2028. This marks the first time the U.S. will host the Summer Olympics since 1996, and it comes at a pivotal moment for the global Olympic movement, which is experiencing a surge in popularity but also navigating challenges in an increasingly divided world.
The closing ceremony in Verona, Italy, highlighted the emotional highs of the Games, including record-breaking performances and heartwarming stories. The U.S. delegation returned home with a haul of 27 gold medals, trailing only Germany and Norway in the medal count. The event saw historic moments, such as Elana Meyers Taylor’s golden victory in bobsled at age 41—a win that brought her to tears—and Alysa Liu’s figure skating triumph, ending a 24-year drought for American women in the discipline.
Despite challenges like protests, political tensions, and logistical hurdles, the Olympics managed to unite fans worldwide. NBC reported record viewership, with the women’s hockey final drawing over 5 million viewers and the figure skating competition attracting even larger audiences. The Games also showcased the resilience of athletes, such as Lindsey Vonn, who suffered a severe injury during her final Olympic appearance, and Vladyslav Heraskevych, a Ukrainian skeleton athlete disqualified after refusing to compete without his helmet honoring fallen compatriots.
The global impact of the Olympics extends beyond sports, with athletes facing additional pressures related to their home countries’ political climates. For instance, U.S. freestyle skier Hunter Hess faced criticism from former President Trump after expressing mixed emotions about representing the country amid ongoing political divisions. Despite these challenges, the Games continue to serve as
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Originally published on Los Angeles Times on 2/23/2026