1932 and 1984: Collaborations of Olympic Proportions

Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum — newly dubbed Olympic Stadium — served as the primary track and field venue and the site of opening and closing ceremonies for the 1932 Summer Olympics. In addition to some 25,000 new seats, the stadium had been outfitted with a new athletes’ tunnel and a new lighting system. The main entrance was embellished with Olympic rings and the Olympic cauldron torch, which is still lit during USC’s home football games.

Due in part to his familiarity with the stadium, Gwynn Wilson, athletic director at USC, was recruited to serve as associate manager of the Xth Olympiad. USC’s Willis O. Hunter and Arnold Eddy were in charge of supervising Exposition Park and the Coliseum during the games.

When Los Angeles won a second Olympics bid for 1984 — largely thanks to the efforts of USC alumnus John C. Argue (LL.B. 1956) — Gwynn Wilson was on hand again, named by Olympics general manager Peter V. Ueberroth as a member of his “kitchen cabinet.” It was agreed that the Coliseum would reprise its 1932 role of hosting track, field, and opening and closing events — becoming the only facility in the world to host two Olympiads.

In anticipation of the games, USC held its 1983 Homecoming at the stadium, welcoming 120 of the university’s 180 living Olympians for a gala dinner and fireworks display. When the games arrived, President Ronald Reagan took up office on the University Park campus before heading over to the Coliseum to officiate at opening ceremonies. USC served not only as the city’s largest Olympic Village, but also as the site of the swimming and diving competitions. Once again, the close relationship between the Coliseum and the university played a key role in the success of the games.