California Governor Gavin Newsom announced Friday that he had signed an executive order creating a state coordination team—dubbed a "strike team"—to oversee preparations for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
Gov. Newsom appointed Jamie Callahan, his deputy chief of staff and senior counselor on infrastructure, to serve as executive director of the Games’ delivery and coordination "strike team." The team will bring together more than a dozen state agencies and departments to strengthen statewide planning and readiness ahead of the Games, the governor’s office said in a statement.
"California knows how to deliver on the world stage," Newsom said.
"With the Olympics and Paralympics coming to Los Angeles in 2028, we’re making sure our state is ready to meet the moment."
The initiative will support regional efforts to expand workforce and economic opportunities, and coordinate security and infrastructure upgrades. The Los Angeles Times reports the Games are projected to cost 7.2 billion U.S. dollars, and the city is responsible for upgrading its transportation infrastructure to accommodate the influx of visitors.
State officials described the projects as investments intended to continue benefiting residents after the competitions end. 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 will maintain ultimate security authority, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The announcement follows legislation Newsom signed in September to strengthen public safety coordination and address operational needs of the Games. Los Angeles is scheduled to host the Olympics on July 14-30, 2028, followed by the Paralympics on Aug. 15-27, per the Olympic official website.
While Xinhua confirms the executive order and appointment, the California governor’s official website currently returns a 404 error for the referenced page, leaving that source’s details unpublished.