Springfield may be more than 1,600 miles away from Los Angeles, but the Olympic Games, hosted by the City of Angels in 2028, will likely bring a piece of the international event to the Ozarks. Ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympic Game opening, Springfield is expected to be among the cities to host the Olympic Torch as it makes its way, for the first time in history, through all 50 states.
On Monday, Aug. 24, Springfield City Council will consider an Olympic Torch Relay agreementwith the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic & Paralympic Committee. Through the agreement, Springfield would be showcased on the international stage by the games while the city would provide support services free of charge to help with staging and ensure the relay's leg through the city runs
smoothly. The relay would take place ahead of the Opening Ceremony on July 14, 2028.
According to the agreement, the city would have to establish a Community Task Force, composed of relevant stakeholders and a law enforcement representative. LA28 would provide a Community Planning Guide to help the city and the task force in the planning process with best practices for operations, including environmental sustainability efforts.
The agreement also notes the city and the task force will be able to select the torchbearers to carry the Olympic Flame through Springfield. The number of torchbearers would be determined by the Olympic Games, however, and the people selected would have to meet criteria set by LA28 and pass a security background check. According to the agreement, political candidates and elected officials will not be eligible for torchbearer selection.
The route of the relay within Springfield would be determined in collaboration between LA28 and the city and its task force. The agreement also includes an addendum regarding a cauldron lighting event, which puts the city in charge of identifying a site for such an event, subject to LA28 approval. This event would include entry free of charge for the general public and individuals greeting the flame on behalf of the city. The document does also state that any city without a cauldron lighting or celebration event will have the right to request a brief stop at a location with cultural, historic or community significant to conduct a photo moment.
The agreement also lays out the city's responsibilities for traffic management and public safety planning, organization of relay media events and marketing promotions, and providing of emergency medical services. The document also includes provisions that would waive expenses to the Olympic Games for any necessary permits and, for a cauldron lighting event, identify appropriate overnight parking areas, provide access to city-owned vehicle wash facilities and electric vehicle charging stations, and provide security presence at hotels and parking sites.
The possible participation in LA28 comes on the heels of Springfield being selected for the kickoff of the National Route 66 Centennial celebration in April that featured several events, including a live broadcast of NBC's 3rd Hour of TODAY from downtown.
Council will hold a public hearing on the agreement at its Monday meeting, with a final vote on the matter anticipated at its following meeting on Sept. 8. Council meetings take place at 6:30 p.m. at the Springfield Regional Police & Fire Training Center, at 2620 W. Battlefield Road. The full agenda for meetings can be found on the city's website.
Springfield's Olympic history
While the Olympic Torch has never come through Springfield itself, the region still has had its ties to the flame throughout history.
For the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, Price Kellar, of Battlefield, was selected as one of the torchbearers for the relay that came through Missouri in Cape Girardeau, according News-Leader archives.
Then, for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Silver Dollar City Co-founder Peter Herschend and Carol Cruise, a City Utilities director of transit at the time, were among the those running with the torch on its route through Missouri.
Marta Mieze covers local government at the News-Leader. Have feedback, tips or story ideas? Contact her at mmieze@news-leader.com.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield likely to be part of 2028 Olympic Torch Relay
