Los Angeles isn’t very fairly. Paris is. It appears now, with Summer time Olympics coming right here subsequent, we’re realizing that.
I do know, I do know: What makes Los Angeles attention-grabbing and delightful is fully completely different from what makes locations similar to Paris and Tokyo and different world facilities stand out. Folks from right here perceive and settle for that. So let’s get one thing out of the best way: L.A. can’t match Paris because the postcard-perfect, charming Olympic host. That metropolis starred within the 2024 Video games in a means that our humble metropolis can’t.
However there may be work to do to get L.A. prepared for the 2028 Video games. For the reason that Paris Olympics ended two weeks in the past, The Instances has printed several articles and letters on how this metropolis can prepared itself up for the worldwide spectacle in 4 years — not only for the athletes and guests, but additionally for the roughly 18 million individuals who reside within the space and should nonetheless go about their lives.
Readers have supplied their strategies, together with enhancing transportation, the housing state of affairs and all-around cleanliness. Right here is a few of what they’ve written.
— Paul Thornton, letters editor
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To the editor: I’ve been to Paris as soon as. Despite the fact that trash luggage piled up and graffiti marred historic constructions, town was lovely. It has an extended and unbelievable historical past mirrored in its buildings and well-used Metro system.
Los Angeles just isn’t lovely. I’ve lived right here all my life, and I ponder why L.A. doesn’t have extra parks and bushes. Streets and freeways are congested; parkways will not be maintained, permitting trash, lifeless bushes and brush to build up; and sidewalks are damaged. Sure sections of Los Angeles — specifically, the place the well-heeled reside — are in higher form.
Guests could have a impolite touchdown if LAX is their first introduction to town. To chop down on automotive congestion, Olympic attendees could take Metro — or will they? That system leaves quite a bit to be desired.
The largest challenge is homelessness. The U.S. Supreme Court docket’s current Grants Pass ruling and Gov. Gavin Newsom’s executive order on clearing encampments portend much less consideration paid to really housing those that sleep on public streets and in parks. As a substitute they are going to be shooed away and left to wander. That isn’t an answer.
RV dwellers want 24/7 heaps to park, get a bathe, empty their hazmat fluids and keep off streets. RV dwellers reside of their house, so impounding their autos implies that town is definitely eradicating somebody’s house. Town must make extra space obtainable to them.
It’s necessary to make parks accessible to households and kids, as an alternative of letting unhoused individuals sleep tough in parks. It’s crucial that folk with no house get housed.
L.A. has a heavy elevate. So get out these paint cans, rent beautification groups, power-wash the streets, repair LAX and present compassion for these with no house by giving them a spot to reside with dignity.
Jane Demian, Los Angeles
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To the editor: I loved studying ideas for making the 2028 Games truly reflective of L.A. I agreed with most of the strategies, though I don’t suppose an open-flame cauldron on the Griffith Observatory or the torch being taken up and down forest trails is sensible or sends the proper message about wildfire hazard.
Can I add an concept? It doesn’t inform an L.A. story, however it could have a good time and honor town: Clear up the trash that strains our freeways, off-ramps and metropolis streets and sits rotting in roadside landscaping. It should quantity to mountains of trash, and it’s a civic embarrassment.
We’re past utilizing the pandemic to excuse this city-wide eyesore.
Anita Nitta, Manhattan Seaside
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To the editor: Can every other Olympics match what the French delivered in the course of the Paris Video games?
That metropolis could have set the bar too excessive: large boulevards, lovely parks and excellent competitors venues. Come on, seashore volleyball beneath the enduring Eiffel Tower and dressage at Versailles!
Then there was the situation. Paris is definitely accessible with prepare service and excellent highways to town.
Despite the fact that the early days of the 2024 Video games noticed rain, it didn’t seem to dampen the spirits or the enjoyable of tens of 1000’s of holiday makers. August warmth in Paris is nothing in comparison with 100 levels in Southern California and presumably smoke-filled skies.
Nope, L.A., you’ll by no means have an opportunity.
David Kahn, Scottsdale, Ariz.
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To the editor: It’s arduous to compete with Paris, an architecturally wealthy metropolis with a lot magnificence and charm.
I discovered all of that missing of their first and second esoteric try to impress the world with their creativity of their opening and shutting ceremonies: an elevating piano, a golden bug costume, gymnastics across the Olympic rings that took perpetually to raise, and a ground design that solely symbolically represented the continents of the globe.
I, for one, was not impressed. It was attention-grabbing however not spectacular.
Town of Paris is what dominated the Olympics, not any of the particular programming. We will look ahead to some spectacular Hollywood showmanship in Los Angeles — we all know how to try this.
Linda Jackson Bradshaw, Los Angeles
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To the editor: Many older adults would like to attend the Olympics in Los Angeles, however mobility and ticket prices may be prohibitive. I recommend to the organizers that this occasion be senior-friendly and accessible.
By 2028, 30% of the California inhabitants can be 65 years or older. One other precedence may also honor these seniors who’re veterans, retired as first responders, or had been lecturers who educated our youngsters.
Many nations revere older adults, however no internet hosting nation has acknowledged and labored to make its Video games actually accessible for seniors.
Let’s present the world that we not solely produce nice athletes, but additionally honor those that have contributed to that lifetime effort by having a senior-friendly 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Gene Dorio, M.D., Santa Clarita
The author is a geriatric doctor.
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To the editor: I lived in Orange County over the last L.A. Olympics in 1984, and I bear in mind being requested to remain off the freeways due to the anticipated inflow of 1000’s of individuals. I drove as much as see the Video games and, to my shock, many freeways had been nearly empty as a result of residents had been going out of their method to keep away from them.
Would that occur now? Folks have modified since 1984, but it surely definitely labored effectively then.
Good luck to Los Angeles. I’m positive the 2028 Video games can be spectacular.
Olive Bray, Sarasota, Fla.
