Right now, down in Rio, they’re gearing up for the first Olympic Opening Ceremony. As they put on their big show, officials from Los Angeles are on hand to do more than just root on all our local athletes. They’re there to glad-hand and lobby on behalf of the city’s bid to host the 2024 Olympics.
When you consider that this year is the first Olympics ever held entirely in South America, you realize it really wasn't that long ago the Olympics last took place in LA. In 1984, we hosted the games with all the fanfare (and feathered hair) that came with them.
In honor of tonight’s ceremonies and the possibility of another LA games, here are some of the best vintage photos from that 1984 competition. Consider it your flashback Friday of global scale. (And, as you watch this year's competitors, think about how everything that looks high-tech and sleek now will probably look pretty silly in 30 years.)
1. Team USA arrives at the Opening Ceremonies at the LA Coliseum in their snazzy windbreaker suits.
Photograph: Courtesy Ken Hackman / US Air Force / Wikicommons
2. The Los Angeles Times offers special Olympic coverage. (Back then, there wasn’t even an app with a live stream. What?)
Photograph: Courtesy George Garrigues / Wikicommons
3. The Forum (now Fabulous, then Great Western) in Inglewood hosted basketball games in 1984.
Photograph: Courtesy Horge / Wikicommons
4. Ulrike Holmwe, Wu Xiauxuan and Wanda R. Jewell receive medals in small-bore rifle. Look close and you’ll notice Jewell is sporting a state of the art calculator watch.
Photograph: Courtesy Ken Hackman / US Air Force / Wikicommons
5. The Olympic Torch Tower awaiting a light at the 1984 Opening Ceremonies. Pastels were very popular at the time.
Photograph: Photographer Unknown / US Military Work / Wikicommons
6. Davis Phinney, Roy Knickman, Ron Kiefel and Andrew Weaver compete in the 100k meter team time trials.
Photograph: Courtesy Jamie53x12 / Wikicommons
7. Alonzo Babers celebrates his victory as he crosses the finish line to pick up gold in the 400 meter. He would take home two golds that year.
Photograph: Courtesy Don Sutherland / US Air Force / Wikicommons