Intergovernmental Challenges of the 1984 Olympic Games

Abstract

Planning and managing the 1984 Olympic Games presented unique financial and intergovernmental challenges for city officials in Los Angeles, but governmental cooperation and an innovative public/private partnership to finance and run the Games proved to be successful. Under strict restrictions against spending local tax dollars, the City of Los Angeles assigned management of the Games to a non-profit committee which raised private funds to finance the Games. In cooperation with surrounding jurisdictions and the federal government, the city provided key services (such as police and fire protection, transportation planning, and visitor services) under contract to the Olympic Committee and used two Olympic-related taxes to pay for these services, with the Olympic Committee paying for additional expenses. The 1984 Olympics resulted in an estimated economic impact of $3.3 billion on Southern California and left Los Angeles with a number of new and refurbished sports and cultural facilities. Moreover, the Olympic Organizing Committee accrued a surplus of over $215 million, 40 percent of which was targeted to benefit youth sports organizations in southern California.