🔗 Share this article

This women's 100m title race is set to feature on the opening day of competition at the LA28 Olympic Games as part of organisers' strategies to “launch spectacularly”.

This unexpected move, which will lead to every stage of the 100m occurring on the same day, was welcomed by US sprint star Sha’Carri Richardson, who remarked that it indicated “the sport is enjoying a resurgence”.

Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith supported the adjustment for the Games, scheduled from 15-30 July. “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 added.

While runners typically race no more than twice per day, World Athletics confirmed it had consulted widely with competitors to ensure they were on board 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.’”

The international federation clarified it had intentionally designed the schedule to enable as many athletes as possible to “compete in multiple events”, not only in events such as the sprints but also the 800m and 1500m and the longer track events. The organization stated there would be 10 days’ worth of competition at the LA Coliseum, with a mixed 100m relay premiering, as well as 72 hours of street competitions at the end of the Olympics.

“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.”

Nonetheless, the line-up makes it unlikely that US sprinter Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone will be able to compete in the 400-meter and 400-meter hurdles, given the 400m hurdles semi-finals and the 400-meter championship fall on the identical date.

Aquatics has historically kicked off the Olympics. Yet because it is taking place in the SoFi venue, where the opening ceremony, it will now start in the following week.

Planners also confirmed that the first day will feature the highest number of female championship events ever in a 24-hour period in Olympic history, with the women’s triathlon gold medal among those up for grabs. They have also scheduled a Super Saturday on the second-to-last day, with 26 first-place awards across 23 sports available.

Shana Ferguson, LA28’s chief of sport and games delivery, noted the goal is to offer approximately 14,000,000 tickets across 51 disciplines at 49 sites, with general ticket sales due to begin in spring 2026. It was also confirmed that organisers will not use the disputed variable pricing strategy that sparked criticism among music enthusiasts in the summer and was trialled by the football governing body at football’s Club World Cup in the US.