Female 100m Final Shifted to Opening Day of LA28 Olympics in Program Rejig

The female 100m final will take center stage on the first day of competition at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games as part of organisers' plans to “open with a bang”.

This unexpected decision, which will lead to every stage of the 100m occurring on the same day, was praised by US sprint star Sha’Carri Richardson, who stated that it indicated “track and field is having its moment”.

The UK’s Dina Asher-Smith also backed the switch for the Olympics, set 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.

Although runners usually race no more than twice per day, the sport’s governing body stated it had sought input broadly with athletes to guarantee they were on board the arrangement.

“Hosting the premier event on the opening evening at the iconic LA Memorial Coliseum – when we explained it to competitors, they were thrilled,” noted Janet Evans, the Games’ chief athlete officer. “Most athletes told me: ‘Simply inform me. Give me advance notice, and I’ll prepare to race three 100-meter events in a single day.’”

The international federation detailed it had deliberately arranged the timetable to permit as many competitors as possible to “double up”, not just in events like the 100m and 200m but also the 800m and 1500m and the 1500m and 5,000m. Officials confirmed that there would be 10 days’ worth of competition at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, with a mixed 100m relay being introduced, as well as 72 hours of street competitions at the conclusion 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.”

However, the line-up renders it improbable that American athlete Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone can compete in the 400-meter and 400-meter hurdles, given the hurdles semifinals and the 400m final fall on the identical date.

Swimming has customarily started the Summer Games. However, since it is occurring in SoFi Stadium, which hosts the opening ceremony, it will now start in the following week.

Organisers additionally announced that day one will showcase the most women’s finals ever in a 24-hour period in Olympic 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 titles across 23 sports up for grabs.

Shana Ferguson, the head of sport and games delivery for LA28, said the aim is to sell about 14 million tickets across 51 disciplines at 49 sites, with public availability starting in spring 2026. It was also confirmed that planners will not use the controversial variable pricing strategy that provoked outrage among music enthusiasts recently and tested by Fifa at the Club World Cup in the United States.