2028 Olympics in OKC

[mattjank]

True though if you’ve seen it, the mechanism looks fairly simple. Probably wouldn’t be too terribly difficult to shut the place down for a few days and replicate it.

They would also have to add gates to the Wreck channel as it has none currently. That is the channel they have been running the cross races down though.
Pretty sure if they run 6 pumps and have the diversion dam completely open there is more than enough flow on the rec channel.

[PhiAlpha]

They would also have to add gates to the Wreck channel as it has none currently. That is the channel they have been running the cross races down though.
Pretty sure if they run 6 pumps and have the diversion dam completely open there is more than enough flow on the rec channel.

Wasn't the whole point of adding the diversion dam on the rec channel to create a combined-flow freestyle channel? Seems like an olympic level competition would've been their reasoning for creating that option. If not, then what is it for?

[Snowman]

Wasn't the whole point of adding the diversion dam on the rec channel to create a combined-flow freestyle channel? Seems like an olympic level competition would've been their reasoning for creating that option. If not, then what is it for?

It seems like freestyle came up later. Originally most of the discussion around the dam was just for an option to push more volume down the competition channel during higher level events, when the recreation channel would not be in use anyway. This also played into why the competition channel is shorter than the recreation channel.

Actually getting the Olympic games brings more things into consideration: switching channels probably allows for more seating overall, plus a higher percentage of seating near the finish. Also shifting most of the seating north of entire course might allow using the street for much of base for temp seating, plausibly simplification of logistics of setup/takedown, and less impactful on normal operations before and after games.

[jn1780]

Turning the recreation channel into the competition channel seems like the way to go. I'm sure damming up the current competition channel wouldn't be a big deal. Not sure if this would be necessary, but I suspect the current flow rate of the rec channel is lower because it takes a longer path? I don't know, where's a hydro engineer when you need one.

For aesthetics though, not draining one channel would be preferred.

[amocore]

OKC RIVERSPORT will host the 2026 ICF white waters world championship. The biggest event of the year for these sports, slalom and cross in kayak and canoe.
It will give us a better idea on what to expect for the Olympics.
Probably more events at the worlds than the Olympics but less crowd.

[PhiAlpha]

]It seems like freestyle came up later. Originally most of the discussion around the dam was just for an option to push more volume down the competition channel during higher level events, when the recreation channel would not be in use anyway. This also played into why the competition channel is shorter than the recreation channel.[/B]

Actually getting the Olympic games brings more things into consideration: switching channels probably allows for more seating overall, plus a higher percentage of seating near the finish. Also shifting most of the seating north of entire course might allow using the street for much of base for temp seating, plausibly simplification of logistics of setup/takedown, and less impactful on normal operations before and after games.

I think we’re pretty much saying the same thing. I always thought the point of the dam was to send water from all six pumps down the competition channel for high level competition.

[Snowman]

I think we’re pretty much saying the same thing. I always thought the point of the dam was to send water from all six pumps down the competition channel for high level competition.

Ok, I though you was talking about freestyle kayaking, which different from the styles that actually use the full channel.

[Paseofreak]

Turning the recreation channel into the competition channel seems like the way to go. I'm sure damming up the current competition channel wouldn't be a big deal. Not sure if this would be necessary, but I suspect the current flow rate of the rec channel is lower because it takes a longer path? I don't know, where's a hydro engineer when you need one.

For aesthetics though, not draining one channel would be preferred.

Longer floew path means shallower overall slope, thus lower energy gradient and average velocity. Probably why the cross-section of the rec. channel is bigger. So it can accomodate the same flow quantity at equal upstream head.

[HOT ROD]

Especially if the stands are facing south, which is almost certainly going to be the case.

I was just outside for about 15 minutes and it's just unbearably hot, as it always is at the end of July and early August.

The announcers have been complaining about the heat in Paris and it's only been in the mid-80s. They are in for a rude awakening in OKC.

to that note, do you think the Olympics will schedule OKC games in the mornings and evenings - skipping the middle of the day (11am-7pm) as much as possible? I've noticed Paris have many beach volleyball games at night, OKC could/should do the same to avoid being the hottest city to ever host/co-host the olympics.

[BoulderSooner]

to that note, do you think the Olympics will schedule OKC games in the mornings and evenings - skipping the middle of the day (11am-7pm) as much as possible? I've noticed Paris have many beach volleyball games at night, OKC could/should do the same to avoid being the hottest city to ever host/co-host the olympics.

lots of stuff at all olympics world wide are scheduled with American TV in mind ..

[HOT ROD]

yeah, I know. Im just hopeful that we can be flexible and have early morning and night games avoiding the peak sun times. But yes, I agree the US is probably the primary audience.

[mattjank]

Wasn't the whole point of adding the diversion dam on the rec channel to create a combined-flow freestyle channel? Seems like an olympic level competition would've been their reasoning for creating that option. If not, then what is it for?

I also think it was so they could get higher flows without having to run all 6 pumps. Could be wrong, but when I've been and they had low flow in the rec channel for tubing it was with 3 pumps going and the comp channel was still nice and fluffy.

[Jersey Boss]

Just a formality or cause for concern?
https://freepressokc.com/okc-olympic...uncil-decides/

[Pete]

Just a formality or cause for concern?
https://freepressokc.com/okc-olympic...uncil-decides/

Nothing has changed since the original announcement.

This saves L.A. a ton of money by not having to construct very expensive facilities they don't really want or need.

[Laramie]

.

Redirected funding

According to a City Council filing by the MAPS Advisory Board, the OKC Public Works Department
has requested more than $685,000 to compile a feasibility study and master plan for hosting canoe
slalom events at the Riversport OKC whitewater facility that was constructed as part of MAPS 3.

Additionally, $3 million has been requested to update and replace Riversport’s underwater Unistrut
system to which slalom obstacles are secured.

In that filing, the MAPS Advisory Board, led by Program Manager David Todd, has proposed redirecting
that $3.6 million from the ongoing budget of the MAPS 3 Convention Center.

The coverage Oklahoma City will receive will be well worth sprucing up the Riversport Rapids venue and
the sun covers that will be needed at Devon Park if Olympic softball comes to fruition. Oklahoma City could
also improve the exterior of Devon Park. The notoriety and attention our city will receive hosting the two
LA28 events are incalculable.

[gopokes88]

Nothing has changed since the original announcement.

This saves L.A. a ton of money by not having to construct very expensive facilities they don't really want or need.

It would be quite stunning if the IOC, LA2028, OKC, and others did all this work without knowing the LACC was on board. In reality, it's probably a mere formality.

[Pete]

This isn't new information, but it's a good perspective on OKC's involvement from the perspective of an LA NBC affiliate station.

************

Why two 2028 Los Angeles Olympics events are moving to Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City will provide settings for part of the Hollywood story when the 2028 Summer Olympics come to Los Angeles.
By Jonathan Lloyd • Published June 24, 2024

Softball and canoe slalom Olympians will be 1,300 miles from Southern California when the competition is hosted by Los Angeles for a third time in 2028.

The partnership between the two cities, announced last week in an updated venue plan from organizers, is a move designed to use existing sports facilities and keep costs down.

LA28's updated plan announced Friday moves softball and canoe slalom 1,300 miles east of the host city to the Oklahoma capital. The proposal has been approved by the International Olympics Committee, pending approval from the City of Los Angeles.

No new permanent venues are expected to be built in Los Angeles, which was named the host city in 2017. The city previously hosted the Summer Olympics in 1984 and 1932.

Under the updated venue plan, gymnastics will be at downtown LA's Crypto.com Arena, swimming will be at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood and basketball will be at the under-construction Intuit Dome in Inglewood. Track and field events will remain at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, which also hosted events in 1932 and 1984. Events are also planned for the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area in the San Fernando Valley, the pool on the USC campus and venues in Long Beach.

Temporary venues and additional construction would be needed to host softball and canoe slalom, something LA28 has said it will avoid.

That's where Oklahoma City comes in with two settings for part of this Hollywood story.

“Oklahoma City has hosted many international competitions at our unique, world-class whitewater and softball venues,” Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt said. “We are confident we will be an outstanding partner to LA28 in creating a dynamic environment for Olympians and fans. We are excited about the opportunity to support one of America’s great global cities, Los Angeles, and work closely with the LA28 organizing committee to ensure that the 2028 Olympic Games are a success.”

Here's what to know about the events in Oklahoma City.

About the 2028 Olympics softball venue
In Friday's announcement, LA28 said the decision to move softball to the 11,000-seat Devon Park, which hosts the annual Women’s College World Series, had everything to do with logistics.

No softball field in the Los Angeles area seats more than 2,000 fans.

The sport has deep roots in Oklahoma City, providing Team USA with a hometown advantage. Devon Park is on the grounds of USA Softball’s headquarters and the USA Softball Hall of Fame.

Improvements have been made over the years. From 2013 to 2015, the facility added dugouts, underground locker rooms and training rooms. Renovations to the outer entrances and press box area began in 2018, and a three-story press box was added with new interview rooms around that time. About 4,000 permanent seats were added after the 2019 World Series.

“Things cost a lot of money these days,” USA Softball executive director Craig Cress said during the World Series earlier this month. “We’re fortunate the city’s been really gracious to us.”

The stadium hosted the U-18 Women's Softball World Cup 2015. Later this year, it will host the World Baseball Softball Confederation Men's Softball World Cup Group C.

The United States will become the only nation to host two Olympics softball competitions in 2028. The sport debuted at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

"We're thrilled with the announcement of Softball Park in Oklahoma as the venue for LA28, it's the perfect stage for the best softball athletes in the world to realize their Olympic dream," said WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari. "The cutting edge stadium, arguably one of the best softball stadiums in the world, will give us and LA28 the opportunity to spread the passion for Olympic softball in the US and around the world, while using an existing facility for the Games, in alignment with the IOC’s Olympic Agenda 2020+5 recommendations, which emphasizes sustainability by encouraging the use of existing stadiums beyond the region of the host city."

About the 2028 Olympics canoe slalom venue
The other venue set to be used in 2028 is Oklahoma City’s Riversport OKC, which hosted the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials in canoe slalom. No canoe slalom venue exists in Southern California or the western United States, LA28 said in its announcement.

The site is along the Oklahoma River in the downtown Boathouse District.

Casey Eichfeld, a four-time Olympian, participated in the trials in April and had good memories of the event, even though there were storms in the area on the second day.

“The crowds are awesome,” he said. “And even with that weather, there were still a number of people that showed up to the race, and were there to cheer for us and to watch. They stuck it out the rain and the wind, and it was really cool to have have that environment, even though maybe the weather was a little less than ideal for an outdoor sport."

[bison34]

Thank you for sharing, Pete!

While it is likely a formality, I do wonder what the hold up from LA City Council is. Or maybe I've missed that they have already approved it. Or maybe their approval doesn't actually matter.

[Pete]

LA City Council has yet to vote on the venue changes but everyone involved views this as a formality and OKC is already deep into planning.

They already awarded an RFP to AHMM for planning in the Boathouse District, and there is another RFP in process for architecture and engineering of the softball improvements.

[warreng88]

And, just to be clear, when OKC does improvements at the softball stadium or the Boathouse District, OKC will bear the amount to improve it, not the Olympic committee and not LA2028, correct?

[Pete]

And, just to be clear, when OKC does improvements at the softball stadium or the Boathouse District, OKC will bear the amount to improve it, not the Olympic committee and not LA2028, correct?

I believe that's right.

We may get some funding but I know the softball improvements will be part of next year's bond issue; the whitewater facility also needs some mechanical upgrades. It makes sense OKC would pay for all of that.

I suspect we may get some funds from LA28 for other things, like temporary stands and crowd control. But that is just speculation.