The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics: Building a Multilingual City for the World
Just two years after the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the United States will step onto another global stage.
The 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles will welcome roughly 10,500 athletes from more than 200 nations, along with millions of international spectators. For several weeks, the world’s attention will turn toward Los Angeles as the Olympic torch is lit and the opening ceremony begins.
For Los Angeles, which is already one of the most diverse cities in the world, the Games represent an enormous logistical undertaking. But they also present an opportunity to demonstrate how modern cities prepare to compete on a global stage in a multilingual economy.
Language Access Is Public Infrastructure
Hosting the Olympics requires thousands of systems to perform in perfect coordination - transportation networks, emergency services, hospitality teams, ticketing platforms, and venue operations.
In many ways, these systems operate like an Olympic relay team. Each one must hand information off smoothly to the next. Language access is the baton that keeps everything moving.
Visitors must be able to understand:
• transit routes
• safety announcements
• emergency alerts
• medical instructions
• venue guidance
Without multilingual communication systems, those interactions can quickly become confusing or even dangerous.
“Language access isn’t a courtesy,” says AAA Translation CEO Susanne Evens. “At the scale of the Olympics, it becomes public infrastructure.”
AAA Translation works with cities and event organizers to build these systems by translating public communications, safety messaging, digital platforms, and operational documentation across dozens of languages - ensuring that when the world arrives, communication performs at a gold-medal level.
Emergency Services: Where Clarity Matters Most
During the Olympics, public safety operations must be prepared for every possible scenario. Language access becomes especially critical in moments of urgency, when visitors may need to communicate with emergency responders, medical professionals, or law enforcement.
Cities preparing for global events typically ensure the following:
• 911 dispatch can rapidly connect callers to interpreters
• hospitals have access to medical interpreters
• emergency alerts are pre-translated into multiple languages
• law enforcement can access certified interpreters when necessary
AAA Translation supports public safety agencies and healthcare organizations by providing professional interpretation services and pre-translated emergency communications, ensuring that critical information can be delivered clearly and quickly.
“When safety information isn’t understood, the consequences are immediate,” says Evens. “Translation is not optional in emergency planning.”
Pre-Arrival Communication: Preparing Visitors Before the Torch Is Lit
The most effective language strategy begins long before the opening ceremony. International visitors start planning their Olympic journeys months in advance, researching travel, transportation, accommodations, and safety requirements.
To support that process, event organizers and host cities should ensure that official websites publish the following in multiple languages:
• Ticketing information
• Transportation guidance
• Visitor safety resources
• Visa and travel requirements
AAA Translation helps organizations localize digital platforms and visitor guides, ensuring international guests can plan their trips confidently before they ever board a plane.
“When visitors can plan their trip in their own language, they arrive feeling confident,” Evens explains. “That confidence translates into better experiences for both travelers and the host city.”
A Legacy That Lasts Beyond the Games
Olympic host cities often talk about legacy - the lasting benefits that remain long after the final medal ceremony. Language access can be one of those legacies.
Multilingual signage installed for international visitors continues serving tourists for decades. Emergency translation protocols strengthen public safety systems long after the Olympic flame is extinguished.
Cities that invest in language accessibility today position themselves for long-term international tourism, global business, and future events on the world stage.
“The Olympics is a catalyst,” says Evens. “But the real legacy is in creating a ‘welcome mat’ that provides more accessibility to the world.”
For cities, venues, tourism organizations, and businesses preparing for these events, the opportunity is clear. The world is on its way. The question is whether we are ready to communicate with it.
The Gold Medal AAAdvantage
The countdown to the Opening Ceremony has begun.
Contact AAA Translation to learn how we help cities, venues, and businesses prepare for global audiences.