Women's 100m Final Shifted to First Day of LA28 Games in Program Overhaul
The women's 100m final will headline the opening day of competition at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games as part of planners' plans to “open with a bang”.
The surprise move, resulting in every stage of the 100m occurring on the same day, received support by American track athlete Sha’Carri Richardson, who commented that it showed “the sport is enjoying a resurgence”.
The UK’s Dina Asher-Smith supported the change 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.
While runners typically race no more than twice per day, the sport’s governing body announced it had sought input broadly with athletes to guarantee they agreed with the plan.
“Being the standout competition on day one in the legendary LA Memorial Coliseum – as we described it to the athletes, enthusiasm grew,” shared Janet Evans, the chief athlete officer. “Many runners responded: ‘Just notify me. Tell me ahead of time, and I’ll train to complete three 100m races in one day.’”
World Athletics clarified it had intentionally designed the program to enable as many athletes as possible to “double up”, not just in disciplines like the 100m and 200m but additionally the middle-distance runs and the longer track events. The organization stated there would be a decade’s worth of competition at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, with a mixed 100m relay premiering, plus three days 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 line-up makes it unlikely that US sprinter Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone can participate in the 400-meter and 400-meter hurdles, given the hurdles semifinals and the 400m final fall on the identical date.
Aquatics has historically initiated the Summer Games. But as it is occurring in the SoFi venue, which hosts the opening ceremony, it begins in the following week.
Organisers further stated that the first day will include the most women’s finals ever in a single day in Games’ history, with the female triathlon title one of the prizes available. They have also scheduled a mega Saturday on the second-to-last day, with 26 titles across 23 disciplines available.
Shana Ferguson, the head of sport and games delivery for LA28, explained the goal is to distribute around 14 million tickets across 51 Olympic sports at 49 locations, with public availability starting in April 2026. It was also confirmed that planners are avoiding the contentious dynamic pricing model that sparked criticism among music enthusiasts in the summer and tested by Fifa at the international club tournament in the US.
