The Olympic torch could pass through Phoenix in 2028

By Mark Carlisle
Mail | X: @mwcarlisle

The Olympic torch for the 2028 Los Angeles games will be first lit as it always is in Greece, the birthplace of the Olympic Games. It will then travel through all 50 U.S. states for the first time ever, en route to Los Angeles.

Phoenix is vying to be a part of that route.

“The city is thrilled about the prospect of participating in LA28’s historic torch relay,” Mayor Kate Gallego said during Wednesday’s city council meeting.

The council voted 8-0 to enter into a contract with the L.A. organizing committee and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games to host the torch relay and related events.

Gallego said the city is working directly with the L.A. organizing committee about the next steps in the consideration process. However, the item on the meeting agenda states that the L.A. organizing committee requested that Phoenix enter into the contract.

Vice Mayor Kesha Hodge Washington said securing the event “would be a tremendous win for our city.”

Torchbearer Didier Drogba of France holds the Olympic torch to light the cauldron at the Velodrome stadium in Marseille, southern France, Thursday, May 9, 2024. Torchbearers are to carry the Olympic flame through the streets of France's southern port city of Marseille, one day after it arrived on a majestic three-mast ship for the welcoming ceremony. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

Daniel Cole

There would be a cauldron lighting ceremony at a yet-to-be-determined location when the torch first arrives in Phoenix and when it leaves the city.

The contract states there would be no cost to the L.A. organizing committee. The city of Phoenix would pay for things such as LA28 branding, decor, signage and street pole banners as well as marketing and promotion. It would also involve things like public safety and traffic coordination as well as street cleaning, sanitation and waste management services.

The agenda item said there is not yet a cost estimate for the contract but specified the city manager must get additional approval from city council if the costs rise above $32 million.

“Phoenix will be honored to play its role in showcasing our city to the world,” Gallego said.

FILE -The Olympic torch is seen during a relay in the courtyard of the Louvre museum Sunday, July 14, 2024 in Paris. French prosecutors say a 19-year-old man, who has made threats on social media and was suspected of wanting to target the Olympic torch relay, was sentenced to two years in prison. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, File)

Christophe Ena

Gallego is making several efforts to involve Phoenix in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. She said she has convened a statewide committee to examine opportunities, including hosting qualifying events or having international teams train in the Phoenix market. Last year, Phoenix City Council entered a bid to host marathon qualifying events for the 2028 games.

“The Olympics represents so much more than competition,” Hodge Washington said. “It is a recognition of individual and team excellence. It also represents perseverance, friendship and the ability to bring people together. And I think those are values that we should continue to celebrate here in Phoenix.”

Councilmember Ann O’Brien said Phoenix knows how to host sporting events on a global stage, from the Women’s Final Four, NBA and WNBA All-Star Games, the World Series, NBA and WNBA Finals as well as spring training in the city of Phoenix to events related to the Super Bowl and Men’s Final Four when they were hosted in Glendale.

“Phoenix knows how to welcome the world,” O’Brien said.

President Clinton lights the Olympic torch of Carla McGhee of the USA Women's Olympic Basketball team during a ceremony at the White House Friday, June 21, 1996. McGhee, from the University of Tennessee ran with the torch from the White House continuing its journey to Atlanta. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

WILFREDO LEE

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Mark Carlisle
Associate Editor | Phoenix

mcarlisle@iniusa.org

Meet Mark

Mark Carlisle joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2017, covering Glendale. He has since moved to the Daily Independent team, primarily covering the city of Phoenix along with other topics affecting the Valley at-large.

Community: Mark enjoys taking his two young sons to parks, the Phoenix Zoo, the Phoenix Public Library  and other fun events around the Valley. He also participates in a local book club.

Education: Chapman University with a BA in English Journalism and one in Screenwriting.

Random Fact: Mark worked at a tuxedo shop in college. Just don’t ask him to tie a bowtie.

 Hobbies: Spending time with his wife, sons and dog, watching sports and TV shows, listening to audiobooks and occasionally writing fiction or designing a board game.