In brief
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order creating a state "strike team" composed of more than a dozen agencies to oversee preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games. The team, headed by Jamie Callahan, aims to streamline planning, boost workforce and economic opportunities, and coordinate security and infrastructure upgrades. Outlets such as Xinhua, the Los Angeles Times, and Ground News report the initiative with varying emphasis, from executive language and cost estimates to bureaucratic coordination.
On Friday, October 31, 2026, California Governor Gavin Newsom finalized an executive order that established a state coordination team, dubbed a "strike team," to oversee preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Xinhua reported that the move will bring together more than a dozen state agencies and departments, strengthening statewide planning and readiness ahead of the Games. Deputy chief of staff and senior counselor on infrastructure Jamie Callahan was appointed as executive director. Newsom said the effort would "ensure our state is ready to meet the moment," noting California’s track record of delivering on the world stage. He added, "California knows how to deliver on the world stage," before the announcement.
La Times coverage, cited by Xinhua, noted that the Games are projected to cost $7.2 billion and that Los Angeles is responsible for upgrading its transportation system to accommodate the influx of visitors. The California office of Emergency Services will coordinate police assistance from across the state and the western United States, while the U.S. Secret Service holds ultimate security authority, the Times added. The Times emphasized that state‑wide infrastructure investments are intended to provide lasting benefits to residents after the competitions conclude.
Ground News framed the initiative as a bureaucratic streamlining effort. The outlet described the strike team as a mechanism designed to "knock down bureaucratic hurdles and ensure that state agencies, local governments and LA28 are working together to ensure a smooth execution." No direct quote was available from the Ground News piece.
Newsom’s executive order follows legislation signed in September to strengthen public safety coordination and address operational needs of the Games. The 2028 Olympic Games are scheduled for July 14–30, followed by the Paralympics on August 15–27, according to the Olympic official website. Los Angeles previously hosted the Games in 1932 and 1984, a fact noted in the Xinhua release.