Billions of dollars and thousands of man-hours go into the construction of Olympic venues all for just over two weeks of competition. But what happens when the medals have all been awarded, the national anthems have all been played and everyone goes home? All over the world, Olympic stadiums sit in shambles while former diving pools accumulate graffiti (or at best become abandoned public pools).
We thought we'd turn our attention to the venues here in our own backyard from the 1984 Summer Olympics to see what they look like now. You won't believe your eyes!
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Photograph: Courtesy CC/Wikimedia/Bobak Ha'Eri
This 90,000-person stadium was the centerpiece of the '84 (and '32) games. Now it's just a place to pass around the pigskin.
Dodger Stadium
Photograph: Courtesy Los Angeles Dodgers
Baseball was played here as an exhibition tournament at the '84 games. Now, it's not even an Olympic sport anymore (at least not until 2020).
Rose Bowl
Photograph: Courtesy Rose Bowl
Over 100,000 football fans packed into the Arroyo for the soccer final. These days? Well, just look.
Pauley Pavilion (UCLA)
Photograph: Courtesy NBBJ
To think: This arena was once the deciding grounds for gymnastics gold. You won't find medal ceremonies here anymore, though—just basketball, volleyball and gymnastics meets.
Uytengsu Aquatics Center (USC)
Photograph: Courtesy Lawrence Anderson/ELS
Formerly the McDonald's Olympic Swim Stadium, this was the main aquatics center in '84. Don't even get us started about the LA84 Foundation/John C. Argue Swim Stadium left over from the '32 games...
Photograph: Courtesy LA84 Foundation
The Forum
Photograph: Courtesy the Forum
Did you know they used to play basketball here?!
Santa Anita Park
Photograph: Courtesy Santa Anita Park
Horses once danced for Olympic gold on this stretch of dirt.
Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
Photograph: Courtesy LA Coliseum/Sports Arena
Heavyweight champions duked it out inside here for boxing glory; now the aging arena is doomed to become a pile of rubble in a matter of days. Afterwards, it's going to look like this.
Photograph: Courtesy LAFC
And here's the biggest shocker: LA plans on using these very same venues in its bid for the 2024 Olympics. Fingers crossed!