Female 100m Final Moved to Opening Day of LA28 Games in Schedule Rejig
The female 100m final is set to feature on the inaugural day of competition at the LA28 Olympic Games as part of organisers' plans to “launch spectacularly”.
The unanticipated choice, that means each heat of the 100m being held on the same day, was welcomed by US sprint star Sha’Carri Richardson, who stated that it indicated “the sport is enjoying a resurgence”.
The UK’s Dina Asher-Smith also backed the switch for the Olympics, scheduled 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 typically race no more than twice per day, the sport’s governing body stated it had engaged extensively with athletes to ensure they were on board the plan.
“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 clarified it had deliberately arranged the schedule to enable as many athletes as possible to “enter more than one race”, not only in events such as the 100m and 200m but additionally the 800m and 1500m and the longer track events. It said that there would be 10 days’ worth of events at the LA Coliseum, with a mixed 100m relay making its debut, plus three days of street competitions at the end of the Games.
“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 line-up makes it unlikely that American athlete Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone will be able to participate in the 400-meter and 400-meter hurdles, since the 400m hurdles semi-finals and the 400m final occur simultaneously.
Aquatics has historically started the Summer Games. However, since it is taking place in the SoFi venue, where the inaugural event, it begins in the second week.
Officials additionally announced that the first day will feature the most women’s finals ever in a single day in Olympic history, with the women’s triathlon gold medal one of the prizes available. They arranged a action-packed Saturday on the penultimate day, with 26 titles across 23 disciplines up for grabs.
Shana Ferguson, LA28’s chief of sport and games delivery, noted the goal is to distribute around 14 million tickets across 51 events at 49 locations, with public availability starting in April 2026. Officials added that organisers will not use the controversial variable pricing strategy that caused anger among music enthusiasts in the summer and tested by Fifa at the Club World Cup in the United States.
