Oklahoma City’s role in the 2028 Olympic Games didn’t begin with a bid to stage them. It began decades earlier — with a softball organization looking for a home, a rowing program on Lake Overholser and a vision for what the Oklahoma River could become.

Those investments and the relationships built around them were at the center of a recent Olympics in OKC panel at Oklahoma City University. Moderated by Mayor David Holt, the discussion brought together USA Softball Executive Director Craig Cress, RIVERSPORT founder Mike Knopp and Team OKC President Michael Byrnes to explore how the city reached this point and what it will take to welcome the Games. 

Oklahoma City will stage softball and slalom paddle competitions during the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, with 16 consecutive days of competition planned across the two venues. 

For Cress, the path to 2028 runs through Oklahoma City’s long relationship with softball. The Amateur Softball Association, now USA Softball, relocated to the city in the late 1960s. Oklahoma City began hosting the NCAA Women’s College World Series in 1990, and continued improvements to what is now Devon Park helped establish a venue built specifically for the sport. 

“Being able to play in a softball specific facility was important to our athletes and here in Oklahoma City was a logical choice,” Cress said. “But it all stemmed from the work with the NCAA and the long-term contract that we have with them.” 

Knopp recalled returning from the 1996 Atlanta Olympics determined to develop rowing in Oklahoma City. What began as a program at Lake Overholser eventually grew into a larger vision for the Oklahoma River — one that included a whitewater course, even if the idea initially seemed unlikely. 

“It was a little crazy, like whitewater in Oklahoma City,” Knopp said. 

Knopp shared the idea at a Chamber planning session. During a subsequent InterCity Visit to Charlotte, North Carolina, Chamber representatives examined several aspects of the city, including how its whitewater center operated. Oklahoma City’s whitewater course was ultimately included in MAPS 3 and opened in 2016. 

As RIVERSPORT developed, Knopp worked to bring international competitions to Oklahoma City and build relationships with the organizations that oversee the sport. 

“Did I think we’re going to get the Olympics? At that point, not exactly, but I thought maybe a world championship,” Knopp said. 

Now, the focus has turned to preparing for the athletes, officials, visitors and residents who will experience the Games in Oklahoma City. 

Byrnes said Team OKC was created as the local organizing committee to coordinate those preparations with LA28 and local partners. Its work spans the competition venues, transportation, security, accommodations and the athlete experience. 

Oklahoma City University will serve as an athlete village for competitors staying in the city. Byrnes said the decision grew out of LA28’s desire to give athletes in OKC an experience similar to that of athletes staying at UCLA in Los Angeles. OCU’s proximity to both competition venues and its campus layout made it a strong fit. 

“We’re all motivated to have the best athlete experience here in the city as possible and OCU is going to certainly be the partner to help us deliver that,” Byrnes said. 

Team OKC is also considering how to bring the Olympic experience into the wider community. Byrnes said committees are exploring watch parties, activities in city districts and arts programming so that residents and visitors can participate even without tickets to a competition. Specific plans are still in development. 

The panelists also discussed what staging the Games could mean after 2028. Holt said he sees an opportunity for Oklahoma City to build recognition among potential visitors, residents and investors. 

“I always view it though as much bigger than that because it’s about credibility of the city,” Holt said. “It’s about our brand and our identity.” 

Byrnes said the experience could also help Oklahoma City pursue future NCAA championships and international competitions, including events in sports beyond softball and slalom paddle. 

“I think there will be other international federations that will now take notice,” Byrnes said. “And so our city is put on a map in terms of being able to deliver really important, exciting international events.” 

The Olympic competitions will last just over two weeks. The panel made clear that Oklahoma City’s preparations draw on work that began long before 2028 — and that its leaders are already considering how to build on the experience afterward.