This female 100m title race will headline the inaugural day of competition at the LA28 Olympics as part of organisers' plans to “launch spectacularly”.
This unexpected choice, resulting in every stage of the 100m being held on the single day, was praised by US sprint star Sha’Carri Richardson, who commented that it showed “the sport is enjoying a resurgence”.
Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith supported the change 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.
Although runners normally race no more than twice per day, the sport’s governing body announced it had consulted widely with participants to make certain they agreed with the decision.
“To be the pre-eminent event on the first night of competition in the historic LA Memorial Coliseum – when we presented it to the athletes that way, there was excitement,” said Janet Evans, the chief athlete officer for the Games. “A majority of athletes said to me: ‘Just let me know. Let me know early, and I’ll start training to run three 100s in one day.’”
The international federation explained it had intentionally designed the timetable to allow as many competitors as possible to “compete in multiple events”, not only in disciplines including the 100m and 200m but additionally the 800m and 1500m and the longer track events. The organization stated there would be a decade’s worth of competition at the LA Coliseum, with a co-ed sprint relay being introduced, 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.”
Yet, the line-up suggests it’s doubtful that US sprinter Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone will be able to compete in the 400-meter and 400-meter hurdles, given the hurdles semifinals and the 400m final fall on the identical date.
Swimming has historically started the Olympics. Yet because it is being held in the SoFi venue, which hosts the opening ceremony, it will now start in the following week.
Officials additionally announced that day one will feature the most women’s finals ever in a single day in Olympic history, with the women’s triathlon gold medal among those up for grabs. They have also scheduled a action-packed Saturday on the penultimate day, with 26 gold medals across 23 disciplines up for grabs.
Shana Ferguson, the head of sport and games delivery for LA28, noted the plan is to distribute around 14 million passes across 51 disciplines at 49 sites, with general ticket sales due to begin in spring 2026. Officials added that organisers would not employ the disputed variable pricing strategy that caused anger among music enthusiasts recently and tested by the football governing body at the international club tournament in the United States.
