Softball and Canoe Sent Packing from West Coast: Los Angeles Olympics Announce Major Venue Changes

The Los Angeles Olympics have made a surprising decision to relocate the sports of softball and canoe to Oklahoma City instead of their original West Coast location. This move places these sports in the heart of the country, away from the coast.

The announcement came from LA28 on Friday, stating that canoe slalom and softball will be hosted in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The venues in Oklahoma City are equipped to international standards, ensuring a high-quality experience for both athletes and fans. This move will also result in cost savings and revenue gains for LA28, supporting a balanced budget for the event.

Softball has strong ties to Oklahoma City, as the Women’s College World Series has been held there since 1990. The city has consistently supported top events in both canoeing and softball, making it an ideal location for the Olympic competitions. While softball is not on the Olympic program for Paris 2024, it will have a place in Los Angeles in 2028.

The Canoe Slalom World Championships will take place at Riversports Rapids, a state-of-the-art whitewater rafting and kayaking center located at the crossroads of I-35 and I-40. This $45.2 million facility will be the perfect setting for the international competition.

LA28 also announced several other venue updates for the Olympics. SoFi Stadium will host swimming, Gymnastics will take place at Crypto.com Arena, and the new Los Angeles Clippers stadium will be the site of basketball. The Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area in the San Fernando Valley will host BMX Freestyle, BMX Racing, Skateboarding, and Archery.

In addition to these changes,