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The women's 100m final will take center stage on the first day of competition at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games as a key element in planners' plans to “launch spectacularly”.

The unanticipated move, that means all three rounds of the 100m occurring on the identical date, received support by American track athlete Sha’Carri Richardson, who stated that it indicated “athletics is stepping into the spotlight”.

Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith endorsed the adjustment for the Olympics, set 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 usually compete up to two times daily, the sport’s governing body stated it had engaged extensively with competitors to guarantee they supported the arrangement.

“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 explained it had deliberately arranged the timetable to permit as many athletes as possible to “compete in multiple events”, not only in events such as the sprints but also the middle-distance runs and the longer track events. The organization stated there would be a decade’s worth of events at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, with a mixed 100m relay making its debut, as well as three days 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 suggests it’s doubtful that American athlete Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone will be able to run in both the 400m and the 400 hurdles, because the 400m hurdles semi-finals and the 400m final occur simultaneously.

Aquatics has historically kicked off the Summer Games. However, since it is being held in SoFi Stadium, where the inaugural event, it begins in the following week.

Organisers further stated that the first day will include 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 first-place awards across 23 sports available.

An LA28 official, LA28’s chief of sport and games delivery, said the plan is to offer approximately 14,000,000 passes across 51 disciplines at 49 venues, with general ticket sales starting in April 2026. Officials added that organisers would not employ the disputed dynamic pricing model that sparked criticism among music enthusiasts in the summer and was trialled by the football governing body at the Club World Cup in the US.