Long Beach is celebrating its Olympic legacy with the new exhibit, "Olympics on the Golden Shore," at the Historical Society. This exhibition highlights the city's rich history with the Olympic Games, showcasing events from 1932 and 1984 that took place in Long Beach. Visitors can explore a treasure trove of artifacts, including photographs, newspaper articles, and even uniforms from volunteers and Olympians.

The city collaborated closely with the Historical Society to create this exhibit, which also includes an Olympic legacy report focusing on infrastructure investments stemming from the games. A community call for artifacts has helped to enrich the exhibit, providing a local perspective on Long Beach's Olympic past.

One fascinating revelation from the report is that Long Beach hosted pre-Olympic events in 1925, which helped position the city as a prime aquatic center for Olympic officials. However, a permitting issue almost prevented the Olympic torch from passing through Long Beach in 1984 due to an unpaid $25 fee. Thankfully, a generous donor stepped in, ensuring the torch's journey continued.

The exhibit not only celebrates past achievements but also looks forward to the upcoming 2028 Olympics, reinforcing Long Beach's status as a world-class city. "Olympics on the Golden Shore" will be on display at the Historical Society until at least 2025, with plans for a traveling exhibition afterward. For more details on Long Beach's Olympic history, visit longbeach.gov/2028games.