The Los Angeles 2028 Olympics are expected to bring some of the world’s biggest sporting stars to the United States, but concerns over the cost of hosting the Games and their impact on local residents are already drawing attention. Questions about taxpayer money, homelessness, and the treatment of vulnerable communities have raised doubts about who will benefit most from the event. Amid these concerns, veteran NBC commentator Mike Tirico has offered a reminder of why the Olympics mean so much to American viewers.
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On October 13, Front Office Sports shared an interview with Tirico on its Instagram account, in which the NBC Olympics host explained why Americans connect so strongly with the Games. He pointed to the personal stories behind the athletes, from those who work ordinary jobs to fund their training to those who receive financial support from people who want to help them represent Team USA.
“When else for 17 straight days does Team USA perform? Full stop,” Tirico said, referring to the extended period of Olympic competition when American athletes compete across different sports from July 14 to July 30, 2028. He explained that viewers may see the athletes as people they went to school with or as the best sportspeople from their own towns. Their stories make the competition feel personal, even to those who do not regularly follow sports.
Tirico also highlighted the financial sacrifices some athletes make to pursue their Olympic dreams. He spoke about competitors who work jobs at places such as Home Depot to pay for training, while others rely on financial support from people who want to give them a chance to represent Team USA. He then pointed to American bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor, whose story shows how an athlete’s life extends beyond competition.
Meyers Taylor has two sons, Nico and Noah, with her husband, Nic Taylor, a former U.S. bobsledder. Both boys are deaf, and Nico also has Down syndrome. At the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, Meyers Taylor won the women’s monobob gold medal on February 16 in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. Tirico used her story to explain why viewers can become emotionally invested in athletes they have never met.
“And here she is going down a track in Milan, Italy, and you’re in front of your TV, and you’re cheering for this woman who you’ve never met in a sport you never watch because she’s wearing the flag and it’s Team USA and they go around the world to represent us,” Tirico said. “That’s why I say you have to be connected emotionally to the Olympic,” he added.
The emotional connection behind what Mike Tirico describes is a major part of what makes the Olympics special. However, behind the inspiring stories of athletes representing their country, the preparations for the Los Angeles 2028 Games have also raised concerns about the impact on local residents.
LA28 faces concerns over ticket prices, homelessness and traffic
One of the most visible concerns emerged in April 2026, when local residents tried to purchase tickets during the first presale. According to the Los Angeles Times on April 8, some fans were frustrated by the prices and struggled to find affordable tickets for their preferred events. Although organisers advertised tickets starting at $28, some sought-after events had limited availability, while certain tickets reportedly cost more than $1,000, excluding additional fees. For some residents, the concern was whether the people living in the host city would be able to afford to attend the Games taking place in their own backyard.
The debate extends beyond ticket prices to the potential impact on some of Los Angeles’s most vulnerable residents. On September 4, 2026, the Los Angeles Times reported on research by academics from the University of Southern California and UCLA estimating that nearly 5,975 homeless people could be displaced because of Olympic preparations and security measures.
Traffic and public transport are another source of anxiety. Los Angeles is known for its congested roads, and the arrival of athletes, officials, media personnel and spectators is expected to put additional pressure on transport networks across the region. Together, these issues show why enthusiasm for the Olympics can coexist with concerns about how the event is being organised.