In a groundbreaking move for Olympic athletics, the women's 100m final will headline the first day of competition at the Los Angeles 2028 Games, organisers have announced.
Historic Schedule Change
The surprise decision means all three rounds of the prestigious sprint event will take place on the same day, marking a significant departure from traditional scheduling. The Games are scheduled to run from 15-30 July 2028, with athletics taking centre stage from the very beginning.
American sprint sensation Sha'Carri Richardson welcomed the announcement, stating it demonstrates that "track and field is having its moment." The decision positions women's sprinting as the marquee event of the opening day at the historic LA Memorial Coliseum.
Athlete Support and Training Adjustments
British star Dina Asher-Smith expressed enthusiasm for the change, highlighting its historical significance. "It's such an exciting opportunity – celebrating the enduring legacy, strength and global power of women's sprinting, exactly 100 years on from the first time women competed in Olympic track and field," she said.
While sprinters typically run a maximum of twice daily, World Athletics conducted extensive consultations with competitors. Janet Evans, chief athlete officer for LA28, revealed that athletes responded positively: "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.'"
Broader Schedule Innovations
World Athletics president Sebastian Coe described the new programme as "both innovative but also honours tradition," noting that the men's marathon will conclude the athletics schedule on the final day.
The revised schedule enables more athletes to compete in multiple events, with opportunities to double up in the 100m and 200m, 800m and 1500m, and 1500m and 5,000m. However, the timetable presents challenges for some athletes, notably American Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, who may struggle to compete in both the 400m and 400m hurdles due to scheduling conflicts.
Organisers confirmed that day one will feature the most women's finals ever in a single day in Olympic history, including the women's triathlon gold medal. A 'Super Saturday' on the penultimate day will see 26 gold medals awarded across 23 sports.
LA28 officials plan to sell approximately 14 million tickets across 51 Olympic sports at 49 venues, with public sales beginning in April 2026. Organisers have confirmed they will not employ controversial dynamic pricing models that have drawn criticism in other sporting events.
