The female 100m final will take center stage on the first day of competition at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics as a key element in organisers' plans to “start with excitement”.
The surprise choice, which will lead to all three rounds of the 100m taking place on the same day, was welcomed by American track athlete Sha’Carri Richardson, who commented that it showed “athletics is stepping into the spotlight”.
The UK’s Dina Asher-Smith supported the switch for the Games, scheduled from July 15th to 30th. “This is a thrilling chance – honoring the lasting impact, resilience, and worldwide influence of women’s sprinting, a full century after women first entered Olympic athletics,” she continued.
Although sprinters typically race no more than twice per day, World Athletics stated it had consulted widely with participants to make certain they agreed with the decision.
“To be the pre-eminent event on the first night of competition in the historic LA Memorial Coliseum – when we presented it to the athletes that way, there was excitement,” said Janet Evans, the chief athlete officer for the Games. “A majority of athletes said to me: ‘Just let me know. Let me know early, and I’ll start training to run three 100s in one day.’”
The international federation clarified it had deliberately arranged the timetable to enable as many athletes as possible to “compete in multiple events”, not only in events including the sprints but additionally the middle-distance runs and the 1500m and 5,000m. It said that there would be a decade’s worth of events at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, with a co-ed sprint relay being introduced, plus 72 hours of road events at the end of the Games.
“Our athletics agenda begins explosively as women’s speedsters lead the way on opening day,” commented Seb Coe, head of World Athletics. “It’s a timetable that merges novelty with heritage, concluding with the men’s marathon.”
Yet, the agenda suggests it’s doubtful that US sprinter Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone will be able to participate in the 400-meter and 400-meter hurdles, because the 400m hurdles semi-finals and the 400-meter championship occur simultaneously.
Swimming has historically kicked off the Olympics. But as it is being held in SoFi Stadium, where the opening ceremony, it begins in the following week.
Planners additionally announced that the first day will include the most women’s finals ever in a 24-hour period in Olympic history, with the women’s triathlon gold medal one of the prizes available. They arranged a mega Saturday on the penultimate day, with 26 gold medals across 23 sports up for grabs.
An LA28 official, the head of sport and games delivery for LA28, said the plan is to offer approximately 14,000,000 tickets across 51 events at 49 venues, with public availability starting in spring 2026. It was also confirmed that organisers will not use the controversial flexible ticket pricing that sparked criticism among Oasis fans in the summer and was trialled by Fifa at the international club tournament in the US.
