Critics of LA 2028 Olympics concerned about traffic impacts, taxpayer costs

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Wednesday's announcement that Los Angeles will host the 2028 Olympics does not quiet critics.

The protest coalition NOLYMPICSLA pledges to step up its campaign as transportation officials assure commuters that new infrastructure already funded by taxpayers will provide options for threading through traffic like never before.

"We are currently in an infrastructure building boom in Los Angeles. We are building many miles of rail services, we are building new corridors for transit buses, we are making improvements to the freeway system," said Metro spokesman Dave Sotero.

Unlike any Olympics bid in history, this one is ordained by the International Olympics Committee 11 years before the event, providing more than ample time to prepare.

Detractors say the lead time only adds risk.

"It also opens up more time for bad things to happen, such as an earthquake, such as a terrorist attack such as one of these facilities they plan to use no longer up to code," said Steve Ducey with NOLYMPICSLA.

Politics could also change.

"Mayor Garcetti won't be mayor anymore, you could have maybe two more presidents between now and then," said Orange County Register Olympics writer Scott Reid.

He warns that scandal and corruption by some Olympics officials could potentially taint public support for the games, particularly the younger demographic which is most valuable to marketers and to the protest groups which cite a long list of concerns.

"The state and taxpayers are on the hook for any cost overruns," Ducey said.

While many factors can change in the coming years, veteran observers say certain figures are firm.

"I think on paper this is the best bid in Olympic history," Reid said.