🔗 Share this article

The women's 100m final is set to feature on the inaugural day of events at the LA28 Olympics as a key element in planners' plans to “start with excitement”.

This unexpected decision, which will lead to all three rounds of the 100m occurring on the identical date, was praised by American track athlete Sha’Carri Richardson, who remarked that it showed “the sport is enjoying a resurgence”.

Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith endorsed the adjustment for the Olympics, set from July 15th to 30th. “What an inspiring moment – marking the sustained heritage, power, and international reach of female sprinters, precisely one hundred years after their Olympic debut,” she noted.

While sprinters usually race no more than twice per day, the sport’s governing body confirmed 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 detailed it had deliberately arranged the timetable to enable as many athletes as possible to “double up”, not only in events including the sprints but also the middle-distance runs and the 1500m and 5,000m. It said that there would be a decade’s worth of competition at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, with a mixed 100m relay premiering, along with 72 hours of street competitions at the end of the Olympics.

“We’ve developed a track and field schedule that kicks off spectacularly with female sprinters in the spotlight on the first day,” stated Seb Coe, World Athletics president. “This programme blends creativity with respect for customs, featuring the men’s marathon on the closing day.”

Yet, the agenda suggests it’s doubtful that American athlete Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone may compete in the 400-meter and 400-meter hurdles, since the 400m hurdles semi-finals and the 400m final are on the same day.

Swimming has customarily started the Summer Games. However, since it is occurring in the SoFi venue, which hosts the opening ceremony, it commences in the second week.

Officials also confirmed that day one will include the highest number of female championship events ever in a 24-hour period in Games’ history, with the female triathlon title one of the prizes available. They have also scheduled a action-packed Saturday on the second-to-last day, with 26 first-place awards across 23 disciplines up for grabs.

An LA28 official, the head of sport and games delivery for LA28, said the plan is to sell about 14 million tickets across 51 events at 49 locations, with public availability starting in April 2026. Officials added that planners are avoiding the contentious variable pricing strategy that caused anger among Oasis fans in the summer and tested by the football governing body at the international club tournament in the US.