OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Los Angeles Olympics are heading to Oklahoma, about 1,300 miles east of the host city.
Los Angeles organizers announced Friday that softball and canoe slalom events for the 2028 games will be held in Oklahoma's capital city as part of an effort to maximize existing facilities and contain costs.
“Oklahoma City has hosted many international competitions at our unique and world-class Whitewater and Softball Arenas,” said Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt. “We believe we can be an excellent partner for LA28 in creating a dynamic environment for Olympic athletes and fans. We are excited about the opportunity to support Los Angeles, one of America's great international cities, and look forward to working closely with the LA28 Organizing Committee to ensure a successful 2028 Olympic Games.”
Softball is played at the 13,000-seat Devon Park, home of the annual Women's College World Series; no other facility in the Los Angeles area seats more than 2,000.
Devon Park is located on the grounds of USA Softball Headquarters and the USA Softball Hall of Fame, adding to the hometown advantage for the American team.
Little by little improvements were made and the facility began to stand out.
Between 2013 and 2015, the stadium was renovated with an expanded dugout, underground locker rooms, and training rooms. In 2018, renovations began on the exterior entrance and press box area, adding a brick façade and a new ticket booth and entrance. Around that time, a three-story press box and new interview room were added. Approximately 4,000 permanent seats were added after the 2019 World Series.
These improvements, and smaller ones since, helped Oklahoma City establish itself as an Olympic host city.
“It's so expensive these days,” USA Softball Executive Director Craig Kress said at the World Series earlier this month. “We've been fortunate that the city has been really generous.”
Another venue that will be used in 2028 will be RiverSports OKC in Oklahoma City, which hosted the canoe slalom at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials.
Four-time Olympian Casey Eichfeld participated in the April qualifying round and has fond memories of the tournament, despite a storm in the area on the second day.
“The crowds were amazing,” he said, “and despite the weather, we had a lot of people who came out to the races and cheered and watched. They braved the elements and persevered. The weather may not have been ideal for outdoor sports, but the environment was just fantastic.”
___
AP Olympics https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games
