In brief
In a move aimed at ensuring smooth execution of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games, California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed an executive order to create a ‘strike team’ headed by Jamie Callahan. The team will bring together dozens of state agencies to coordinate infrastructure, workforce, economic opportunities, and security for the event. The initiative follows new public‑safety legislation and a projected $7.2 billion cost estimate for the Games.
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order on Friday, October 30, to create a statewide "strike team" tasked with coordinating all preparation activities for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games. The governor appointed Jamie Callahan, his deputy chief of staff and senior counselor on infrastructure, as executive director of the new team.
The strike team will convene more than a dozen state agencies and departments, according to a statement from the governor’s office, to strengthen statewide planning and readiness ahead of the Games. It will also support regional efforts to expand workforce and economic opportunities in advance of the international event.
The move follows legislation that Newsom signed in September to enhance public‑safety coordination and address operational needs of the Games, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
“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 Games are projected to cost 7.2 billion U.S. dollars, a figure reported by the Los Angeles Times. The city is responsible for upgrading its transportation infrastructure to accommodate the influx of visitors, the Times added.
According to the governor’s office, California has already taken steps to support Los Angeles in preparing to host the world, including infrastructure investments to strengthen the region’s transportation networks and modernize major venues. State officials described the projects as investments intended to continue to benefit residents after the competitions end, not solely to accommodate visitors during the Games.
Security planning for the event will involve multiple levels of government. The California Office of Emergency Services will help coordinate police assistance from across California and the western United States, according to the Los Angeles Times. The U.S. Secret Service retains ultimate security authority, the Times reported.
California’s coordination effort echoes the state’s commitment to leave lasting benefits for residents after the Games. The strike team will track progress on infrastructure upgrades, workforce development programs and economic initiatives across the state.
In addition to coordinating statewide actions, the strike team is expected to work closely with local city officials, including Los Angeles’ mayor and general services department, which are tasked with managing the tight construction schedule of the Olympic venues.
The Los Angeles Olympics are scheduled for July 14‑30, 2028, followed by the Paralympics on Aug. 15‑27, according to the Olympics’ official website. Los Angeles previously hosted the Olympics twice, in 1932 and 1984.
James Callahan’s background includes overseeing large-scale infrastructure projects for the state, a fact highlighted in the governor’s announcement. By placing him at the helm of the strike team, Newsom signals a focus on integrating transportation, energy, and public‑service upgrades into the Olympics’ legacy plans.
Stakeholders from the transportation sector have expressed cautious optimism. A spokesperson for the California Department of Transportation noted that the strike team would help streamline permitting processes for high‑speed rail and airport expansion projects that are already underway.
Meanwhile, the California Workforce Development Board warned that the Games could strain the blue‑collar workforce if adequate training programs are not established, a concern the strike team is slated to address.
The state’s economic development arm will also launch a marketing campaign to attract international sponsors and businesses, positioning the Olympics as a catalyst for long‑term economic growth in the region.
Critics have raised concerns that the focus on large‑scale infrastructure could divert funds from local community projects. An editorial in the Los Angeles Times argued that the state’s investment strategy should include more direct support for underserved neighborhoods affected by the Games’ construction activity.
Supporters, however, argue that the Games’ legacy promises significant job creation and modernization of public spaces. The strike team will oversee the allocation of existing state funds to campaigns targeting workforce development and affordable housing projects linked to the Olympics’ construction sites.
In Ohio, a comparable initiative for the World Games highlighted the importance of interagency communication, a lesson California officials have reportedly considered while forming the strike team structure.
Security experts also see the multi‑layered approach as a way to mitigate potential disruptions. The California Office of Emergency Services will coordinate with federal partners to develop emergency response plans for large crowds, the article notes.
The strike team’s composition will likely include the state’s Department of Transportation, Department of Public Health, Department of Education, and other relevant agencies. Their combined expertise will be tasked with aligning policy, planning, and execution of the Olympics’ logistical needs.
Over the next several weeks, the strike team will release a public dashboard outlining milestones and timelines for critical construction and policy projects. The team’s accountability structure will be monitored by the governor’s office.
The initiative also aligns with California’s broader public‑safety goals. The state legislature’s new public‑safety bill, signed in September, grants broader authority to local governments to cooperate on emergency planning, a framework the strike team will utilize.
Because the Games involve multiple international stakeholders, California’s coordination effort includes a liaison office for the International Olympic Committee. This office will streamline communication between the state and the IOC’s global partners.
Additionally, the strike team will facilitate a data‑sharing platform for real‑time updates on construction progress, budget expenditures, and workforce metrics. The platform will be accessible to both state officials and local authorities.
The state’s focus on legacy also includes ecological goals. The California Natural Resources Agency will collaborate with the strike team to ensure that venue upgrades meet state environmental standards and contribute to sustainability objectives.
The timeline for the 2028 Olympics means the strike team has until mid‑2027 to complete a majority of construction and security planning. Every phase will be guided by a set of key performance indicators identified by the governor’s office.
Public input is already part of the process. The state has announced a series of town hall meetings across California to solicit feedback on how the Olympics will affect local communities.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Times has published a series of investigative pieces on the cost of the Games, placing emphasis on the state’s role in bolstering infrastructure improvements. Those analyses highlight potential cost overruns, an issue the strike team is expected to monitor closely.
As the strike team moves forward, its ability to coordinate between state and local entities will be critical to delivering a successful event that leaves a lasting, positive impact on the state’s residents.
Following the executive order, Governor Newsom is slated to meet with federal officials, including representatives from the U.S. Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security, to finalize the security framework for the Games, according to the governor’s office statement.
The strike team’s creation is part of California’s broader strategy to position the state as a key player in the international sporting community while addressing domestic priorities such as workforce development, infrastructure modernization, and public safety.
As the countdown to the 2028 Games begins, both state officials and stakeholders will closely watch the strike team’s progress, assessing how its coordination efforts meet the expectations of athletes, visitors, and residents alike.