The women's 100m final will headline the first day of competition at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, organisers have announced, as part of plans to 'open with a bang'. The decision means all three rounds of the 100m will take place on the same day, a change from the usual schedule.
US sprint star Sha'Carri Richardson welcomed the move, saying it showed that 'track and field is having its moment'. Britain's Dina Asher-Smith also backed the switch, calling it 'an exciting opportunity' to celebrate women's sprinting exactly 100 years after women first competed in Olympic track and field.
World Athletics said it had consulted widely with athletes to ensure they were on board. Janet Evans, chief athlete officer for the Games, noted that a majority of athletes were excited and said: 'Just let me know early, and I'll start training to run three 100s in one day.'
The schedule also includes a mixed 100m relay debut and 10 days of competition at the LA Memorial Coliseum. World Athletics president Seb Coe said the programme 'will start with a bang as our women's sprinters take centre stage on day one'. However, the schedule makes it unlikely that US sprinter Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone will compete in both the 400m and 400m hurdles, as the 400m hurdles semi-finals and 400m final fall on the same day.
Swimming, traditionally the opening sport, will start in the second week due to the opening ceremony being held at SoFi Stadium. Day one will feature the most women's finals in a single day in Olympic history, including the women's triathlon. A Super Saturday on the penultimate day will see 26 gold medals across 23 sports.
LA28's chief of sport and games delivery, Shana Ferguson, confirmed plans to sell about 14 million tickets across 51 sports at 49 venues, with public sales beginning in April 2026. Dynamic pricing, which provoked outrage among Oasis fans and was trialled by Fifa, will not be used.
