Women's 100m Final Shifted to First Day of LA28 Games in Schedule Rejig

The women's 100m final is set to feature on the inaugural day of competition at the LA28 Olympic Games as a key element in planners' strategies to “open with a bang”.

This unexpected decision, that means all three rounds of the 100m occurring on the same day, received support by American track athlete Sha’Carri Richardson, who commented that it showed “track and field is having its moment”.

Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith also backed the change for the Olympics, scheduled from 15-30 July. “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 sprinters typically race no more than twice per day, the sport’s governing body confirmed it had consulted widely with participants to make certain 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 explained it had deliberately arranged the program to allow as many athletes as possible to “compete in multiple events”, not only in disciplines including the 100m and 200m but additionally the middle-distance runs and the longer track events. Officials confirmed that there would be a decade’s worth of events at the LA Coliseum, with a co-ed sprint relay making its debut, plus three days of road events at the conclusion 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 schedule makes it unlikely that American athlete Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone can compete in the 400m and the 400 hurdles, since the hurdles semifinals and the 400m final occur simultaneously.

Swimming has customarily initiated the Summer Games. Yet because it is being held in SoFi Stadium, which hosts the inaugural event, it will now start in the following week.

Officials 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 among those up for grabs. They have also scheduled a mega Saturday on the penultimate day, with 26 first-place awards across 23 disciplines available.

An LA28 official, the head of sport and games delivery for LA28, noted the plan is to offer approximately 14 million passes across 51 disciplines at 49 sites, with general ticket sales scheduled to open in spring 2026. It was also confirmed that organisers are avoiding the disputed flexible ticket pricing that sparked criticism among music enthusiasts recently and was trialled by Fifa at football’s Club World Cup in the US.