Santa Monica just threw a curveball at the LA28 Olympics. No beach volleyball here.
WHERE IT WENT SOUTH
After two years of back-and-forth, Santa Monica and LA28 couldn't see eye to eye. Community benefits, operations, financial guarantees—no agreement. "Despite good-faith efforts," said Mayor Lana Negrete, "we couldn't make it work."
Santa Monica was the birthplace of beach volleyball. The sport belongs here. But nostalgia doesn't pay the bills. A fiscal report predicted a $1.45 million hit if they hosted. Ouch.
WHAT'S NEXT FOR LA28?
The clock's ticking for LA28. A new venue is a must, and fast. The International Olympic Committee gets the final venue plan soon.
Changes are happening all over. Basketball's heading to the Intuit Dome. Gymnastics to Crypto.com Arena. Swimming to SoFi Stadium. And new sports like flag football and lacrosse are jumping in.
A SETBACK FOR TEAM USA
Missing gold in Paris stung. For the first time ever, no gold for Team USA in beach volleyball. The sport's growing like wildfire, though. From 2012 to 2015, NCAA programs nearly tripled.
By 2023, 91 programs, 1,615 athletes. The stage is set for a comeback in LA28. But first, they need a stage.
Santa Monica's out. Where's next? Stay tuned. This journey's not over.
More from United Volleyball Network:
Source: nbcsports.com
