Looking Back to Look Ahead: LA 1984 and the Road to the 2028 Olympics
Here’s something that’s hard to believe: In just three years, the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will already be over.
That’s right — by the summer of 2028, the medals will be handed out, the unforgettable highs and lows etched into Olympic history, and all that remains will be the highlights, the headlines, and our memories.
But before we look ahead, it’s worth looking back.
The last time Los Angeles hosted the Summer Games was in 1984 — a legendary event still remembered for its iconic athletes, emotional moments, and cultural impact. As L.A. gears up for another Olympic chapter, here’s a look at five unforgettable moments from the 1984 Games that set the bar high.
1. Mary Lou Retton Becomes America’s Sweetheart
The image of Mary Lou Retton sticking a perfect 10 on vault remains one of the defining snapshots of Olympic history. Her all-around gold medal win made her the first American woman to claim that title — and she didn’t stop there. Retton also earned two silvers (team and vault) and two bronzes (floor and uneven bars), capturing hearts across the country. She became Sports Illustrated’s Sportswoman of the Year and even landed on a Wheaties box.
2. Carl Lewis Channels Jesse Owens
In the shadow of the historic L.A. Memorial Coliseum, Carl Lewis chased greatness — and caught it. Emulating Jesse Owens' feat from 1936, Lewis won four gold medals: 100 meters (9.99 seconds), long jump (28 feet), 200 meters (Olympic record 19.8 seconds), and as part of the 4x100 relay team. His performance launched one of the most decorated careers in Olympic track and field history.
3. Team USA Basketball’s Future Legends
On the hardwood, legendary coach Bobby Knight led a stacked roster of college stars to gold. Among them? Chris Mullin, Patrick Ewing, and a rising star from North Carolina named Michael Jordan. Team USA dominated the tournament, winning all eight games by an average of 32.1 points, including a 96–65 blowout of Spain in the final. Many of these players would reunite as part of the 1992 Dream Team, redefining basketball on a global stage.
4. Rowdy Gaines Leads U.S. Swimming Surge
The United States dominated the pool in 1984, racking up 34 total medals, 21 of them gold. Leading the charge was Rowdy Gaines, who won three golds: in the 100-meter freestyle and as anchor in both the 4x100 freestyle and 4x100 medley relays. Today, Gaines is the voice of Olympic swimming for NBC, bringing that same passion to viewers around the world.
5. U.S. Men’s Volleyball Breaks Through
Volleyball had been part of the Games since 1964, but in 1984, the U.S. men’s team made its mark. Led by the legendary Karch Kiraly, Team USA defeated Brazil to win its first Olympic volleyball gold. Kiraly would later become a beach volleyball icon and coach the U.S. women to gold in Tokyo 2021, cementing his legacy across generations.
What to Expect in 2028
As we look forward, the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics promise to deliver their own unforgettable moments. Here are five things you might not know about the upcoming Games:
- SoFi Stadium Becomes an Aquatics Venue: The home of the Rams and Chargers will host Olympic swimming, with a massive temporary pool transforming it into the largest aquatics venue in Olympic history.
- Track and Field Opens the Games: In a rare move, track and field events will kick off the Games at the Coliseum — the first time since 1968 this has happened.
- The Coliseum’s Historic Hat Trick: The L.A. Memorial Coliseum will become the first stadium to host Olympic events in three different Games: 1932, 1984, and now 2028.
- Dual-Venue Opening Ceremony: For the first time, the Opening Ceremony will be split between two locations: the Coliseum and SoFi Stadium, creating a synchronized, citywide celebration.
- New Sports, New Energy: The Games will feature debut sports like flag football, cricket, and squash, alongside more mixed-gender events, reflecting a dynamic, evolving Olympic program.
From Mary Lou to Michael Jordan, from Carl Lewis to Karch Kiraly, the 1984 Games created legends. The countdown to 2028 is on — and the next wave of Olympic heroes is waiting in the wings.
Three years from now, history will be written again in Los Angeles. The only question is: who will seize the moment?