Governor Gavin Newsom announces strike team to support California’s preparations for 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games
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Oct 30, 2026

Governor Gavin Newsom announces strike team to support California's preparations for 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games

What you need to know: Governor Newsom signed an executive order to strengthen California's preparation for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, bringing state agencies together to support a successful Olympic Games and maximize opportunities for local communities.

SACRAMENTO – As Los Angeles prepares to welcome the world for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order to establish an Executive Director of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games Delivery and Coordination Strike Team, to convene a strike team involving more than a dozen agencies and departments in state government to strengthen statewide planning and readiness ahead of the LA28 Games. To lead this effort, the Governor is appointing Jamie Callahan to serve as Executive Director.

Building on California's investments in infrastructure, public safety, and regional partnerships, the strike team will help align state resources and support local efforts to deliver a world-class event while creating lasting economic opportunities for the region.

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. This executive order builds on the work already underway by Mayor Karen Bass and LA28 CEO Reynold Hoover to ensure California is prepared to deliver a world-class event that reflects the very best of our state.

Governor Gavin Newsom

Read the full executive order here.

Preparing California for the world stage

The Governor's executive order establishes the position of Executive Director of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games Delivery and Coordination Strike Team who will bring state agencies together with local governments, federal partners, and LA28 organizers.

The Strike Team will coordinate statewide preparations and operational planning, identify opportunities to streamline permitting and improve communication across agencies, and support regional efforts to expand workforce and economic opportunities. The effort will also help showcase California's leadership on the global stage while keeping state agencies aligned as preparations advance.

Building on California's LA28 preparations

California has already taken significant steps to support Los Angeles as it prepares to host the world. In September, Governor Newsom signed legislation strengthening public safety coordination, addressing the unique operational needs of the Olympic & Paralympic Games, and extending in-state tuition benefits for Team USA student-athletes training in California.

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These efforts build on the state's successful coordination of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which brought together state and local agencies to support one of the world's largest sporting events. That experience is helping inform statewide planning and coordination as Los Angeles prepares.

Investing in the future

California is backing its preparations with significant infrastructure investments to strengthen the region's transportation networks, modernize major venues, and improve the experience for residents and visitors alike.

• Modernizing Exposition Park: A $96.5 million investment, followed by an additional $7 million announced in September, to upgrade and modernize the historic Los Angeles venue ahead of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
• Expanding regional mobility: $257 million for Southwest Los Angeles County mobility hubs to improve connectivity for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, and commuters, including visitors traveling to major events ahead of LA28.
• Improving transit access: $2.45 million for infrastructure and safety improvements at four Los Angeles County transit stations, enhancing navigation, security, and passenger amenities in preparation for LA28.
• Enhancing critical infrastructure: $252 million for the Games Route Network (GRN) Improvements Project, which will deliver critical transportation infrastructure and technology enhancements along key freeway corridors supporting the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. These improvements will help ensure safe, efficient, and reliable movement of athletes, officials, spectators, transit users, and the traveling public while providing lasting benefits to California's transportation system.

Together, these investments are helping Los Angeles prepare for 2028 while building stronger infrastructure and improving mobility for the communities that will benefit after LA28 concludes.

About the new Executive Director

Jamie Callahan currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Counselor on Infrastructure in the Office of California Governor Gavin Newsom. As a senior public policy, government affairs and external relations executive with more than 15 years of experience advising California Governors, she has led complex multiagency initiatives, managed high-profile stakeholder relationships and delivered globally significant events. Over the last two years, Callahan has led the state's preparations for major global events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and is well positioned to continue to lead the State's planning ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.

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