California Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order on Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, announcing the creation of a state coordination team—dubbed a “strike team”—to oversee preparations for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
Strike Team Formation
The order appointed Jamie Callahan, Newsom’s deputy chief of staff and senior counselor on infrastructure, as the executive director of the Games’ Delivery and Coordination Strike Team. According to Newsom’s office, the team will bring together more than a dozen state agencies and departments to strengthen statewide planning and readiness ahead of the Games.
Newsom said, "California knows how to deliver on the world stage. With the Olympics and Paralympics coming to Los Angeles in 2028, we're making sure our state is ready to meet the moment."
Workforce and Economic Opportunities
Under the strike team’s purview, state officials will support regional efforts to expand workforce and economic opportunities. The governor’s office described the projects “as investments intended to continue to benefit residents after the competitions end, not solely to accommodate visitors during the Games.”
Infrastructure and Transportation Upgrades
The Games are projected to cost $7.2 billion, and the Los Angeles Times reported that the city is responsible for upgrading its transportation infrastructure to accommodate a large influx of visitors. California has already taken steps to support Los Angeles, including infrastructure investments to strengthen the region’s transportation networks and modernize major venues. These are framed as lasting benefits for local residents beyond the Games.
Security Coordination
Security planning involves multiple levels of government. The California Office of Emergency Services will help coordinate police assistance from across California and the western United States, while the U.S. Secret Service holds ultimate security authority, the Los Angeles Times reported. Newsom’s October 2026 executive order follows legislation he signed in September to strengthen public‑safety coordination and address operational needs for the Games.
Event Schedule and Legacy
The Los Angeles Olympics are scheduled for July 14‑30, 2028, followed by the Paralympics from August 15‑27, according to the Olympic Games’ official website. Los Angeles previously hosted the Olympics twice, in 1932 and 1984, cementing the city’s historical connection to the international event.
The GoGold Coast Journal highlighted that the strike team’s aim is to “knock down bureaucratic hurdles and ensure that state agencies, local governments and LA28 are working together consistently,” though it did not provide additional detail beyond the executive order’s objectives.
Governor Newsom’s announcement was reported by Xinhua, the Los Angeles Times, and state government releases, all noting the same core elements: a new executive team, a focus on infrastructure, economic impact, and security coordination. The initiative marks California’s commitment to delivering the 2028 Games while creating lasting benefits for the state’s residents and workforce.
