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This female 100m title race is set to feature on the inaugural day of events at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games as part of planners' strategies to “start with excitement”.

The unanticipated decision, which will lead to each heat of the 100m occurring on the single day, was praised by American track athlete Sha’Carri Richardson, who commented that it showed “the sport is enjoying a resurgence”.

Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith endorsed the adjustment for the Games, set from July 15th to 30th. “What an inspiring moment – marking the sustained heritage, power, and international reach of female sprinters, precisely one hundred years after their Olympic debut,” she noted.

While runners typically race no more than twice per day, the sport’s governing body confirmed it had consulted widely with competitors to ensure they supported 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.’”

World Athletics explained it had deliberately arranged the timetable to enable as many competitors as possible to “compete in multiple events”, not just in disciplines like the 100m and 200m but also the 800m and 1500m and the 1500m and 5,000m. Officials confirmed that there would be a decade’s worth of events at the LA Coliseum, with a co-ed sprint relay being introduced, along with three days 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.”

Nonetheless, the agenda renders it improbable that US sprinter Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone will be able to participate in the 400m and the 400 hurdles, since the 400m hurdles semi-finals and the 400-meter championship are on the same day.

Swimming has historically kicked off the Olympics. But as it is being held in the SoFi venue, which hosts the inaugural event, it begins in the following week.

Officials further stated that day one will showcase the most women’s finals ever in a 24-hour period in Games’ history, with the female triathlon title one of the prizes available. They have also scheduled a Super Saturday on the penultimate day, with 26 first-place awards across 23 disciplines at stake.

An LA28 official, the head of sport and games delivery for LA28, noted the goal is to offer approximately 14,000,000 tickets across 51 disciplines at 49 venues, with public sales starting in spring 2026. Officials added that planners are avoiding the controversial dynamic pricing model that caused anger among Oasis fans this past summer and was trialled by Fifa at football’s Club World Cup in the US.