‘The Eternal Flame’ exhibit highlights the legacy of the 1984 Summer Olympics in LA

The countdown is on for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, but before LA28 makes history, one local exhibit is highlighting the city’s prior Olympic hosting gig — the 1984 Summer Olympics.

The LA84 Foundation, born out of the 1984 Olympics, is an organization dedicated to ensuring every child has access to the benefits of sports through youth development programs that promote equity.

The foundation’s headquarters are located at the Eugene W. Britt House on West Adams Boulevard in LA’s West Adams District. Inside, you’ll find “The Eternal Flame,” an exhibit showcasing the legacy of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

The exhibit first debuted in 2024 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the 1984 Olympics.

LA84 Foundation President and CEO Renata Simril said the display captures just how historic those Games were for Los Angeles and the world of sports.

Simril said LA stepped up to host, and for the first time, finance the 1984 Olympics at a time when some thought the Olympics may not even continue.

“So, they had to figure out corporate sponsorships, ticket sales, and TV contracts,” she told NBC Los Angeles while showing us around “The Eternal Flame.”

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The exhibit features everything from art to artifacts, items small to tall, including the LA84 Olympic mascot, Sam the Eagle.

“Look at those eyes,” said Simril, walking up to Sam. “He’s look at you, smiling.”

There’s also artwork created for the Los Angeles event.

“Every Olympic game creates a mark for its city that recognizes the culture, the diversity, the history of that city,” Simril explained.

And a miniature replica of the gateway at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

“This is one of 100,” Simril said of that artifact.

In a glass display case, visitors will see more LA84 artifacts, from creative to cosmic, including the “alien hand” from the closing ceremony that included an homage to “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.”

“I don’t know for those who remember the alien, but we have the alien hand, you know, from the ceremony,” said Simril.

Displayed along a wall are unique Olympic torches through the years.

“This selection of torches is from each of the Games that preceded the 1984 Olympic Games. And so, the Mexico City torch, the Montreal torch,” Simril said.

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In 1984, Olympic uniforms took on a different look. Some of that Olympics fashion is on display at the exhibit, including a mannequin wearing a light blue blazer, a mint-hued tie, and light-colored slacks.

“We went away from the red, white, and blue,” Simril explained. “The pales and pastels really celebrated a new era.”

Of course, “The Eternal Flame” also pays tribute to the phenomenal athletes of the 1984 Olympics through photos, including Mary Lou Retton, Greg Louganis, Michael Jordan, and track and field icon Carl Lewis. Lewis is one of only four Olympic athletes to have won nine Olympic gold medals, four of which he won at the 1984 Los Angeles Games.

“The man,” Simril said, standing in front of a large photo display highlighting Lewis’ legendary feats at LA84. “Not one, not two, not three, but four gold medals.”

LA84 was also the first time that women’s marathon was an Olympic event.

“And Joan Benoit Samuelson, just in historic fashion, won the race,” Simril said. “I lived in Carson at the time and I still, to this day, feel like I could hear the roar from the Coliseum — you know, 30 minutes down the 110 Freeway.”

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Also on display are authentic seats from the LA Memorial Coliseum donated by the University of Southern California. Those very seats — marked 107 and 108 — were used by fans watching the track and field events at the LA Olympics.

“I often sit in these chairs,” Simril said, smiling. “It was a great section, 107.”

A handful of printed 1984 Olympics tickets are also on display. Back in 1984, those tickets to track and field events cost $10 each. The closing ceremony ticket ran for $200.

And, while this exhibit celebrates the Olympic athletes of the past, the LA84 Foundation continues focusing on the future.

“For more than four decades, we have been investing back into communities to ensure that all kids have access to sports,” said Simril.

One of those kids could one day go on to become an Olympian, and LA will have been where it all began.

When are the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics?

The Olympics will return to Los Angeles for an historic third time in 2028.

The LA 2028 Olympics Opening Ceremony is July 14, 2028 with competition through July 30, 2028. The LA28 Paralympic Games will kick off Aug. 15, 2028 and close Aug. 27, 2028. 

The organizing committee has released a first look at the competition schedule. Field hockey, basketball, rugby sevens, water polo, handball and cricket will be the first sports to kick off the competition on July 12, two days before the Opening Ceremony.

The first full date of competition, designated Day 1, is July 15. The order of events includes a twist for 2028 with track and field and swimming swapping their typical schedules. Track and field will compete at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in the first week of the Olympics schedule with swimming moving to the second week at SoFi Stadium.

The marathons will still be on the final weekend.

The first medal will be awarded in triathlon on Day 1 in Venice Beach. July 29, or Day 15, will be the busiest day on the podium with 16 gold and bronze events in team sports and 19 individual medal events.

Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Exposition Park and SoFi Stadium in Inglewood will host the opening ceremony in a duel-venue celebration. The Paralympic opening ceremony will be at SoFi Stadium with the closing ceremony at the Coliseum.