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The female 100m final will take center stage on the first day of events at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games as part of planners' plans to “open with a bang”.

This unexpected decision, which will lead to all three rounds of the 100m taking place on the same day, was praised by US sprint star Sha’Carri Richardson, who commented that it indicated “athletics is stepping into the spotlight”.

Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith endorsed the switch for the Games, scheduled 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.

Although runners typically compete up to two times daily, the sport’s governing body announced it had sought input broadly with competitors to make certain they were on board the decision.

“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 detailed it had deliberately arranged the program to permit as many athletes as possible to “enter more than one race”, not only in disciplines like the sprints but additionally the 800m and 1500m and the 1500m and 5,000m. Officials confirmed that there would be 10 days’ worth of events at the LA Coliseum, with a co-ed sprint relay premiering, along with 72 hours of street competitions 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 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, because the 400m hurdles semi-finals and the 400m final occur simultaneously.

Aquatics has customarily started the Olympics. But as it is taking place in the SoFi venue, which hosts the inaugural event, it begins in the second week.

Officials also confirmed that day one will include the highest number of female championship events ever in a 24-hour period in Olympic history, with the women’s triathlon gold medal among those up for grabs. They have also scheduled a Super Saturday on the second-to-last day, with 26 gold medals across 23 sports up for grabs.

Shana Ferguson, the head of sport and games delivery for LA28, said the plan is to distribute around 14 million tickets across 51 events at 49 venues, with general ticket sales starting in spring 2026. Ferguson also confirmed that organisers are avoiding the disputed dynamic pricing model that caused anger among music enthusiasts in the summer and was trialled by the football governing body at football’s Club World Cup in the US.