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This female 100m final will take center stage on the first day of competition at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games as part of planners' plans to “launch spectacularly”.

The unanticipated move, that means every stage of the 100m being held on the single day, received support by American track athlete Sha’Carri Richardson, who commented that it demonstrated “track and field is having its moment”.

Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith endorsed the change for the Olympics, set from 15-30 July. “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 sprinters typically race no more than twice per day, World Athletics announced it had sought input broadly with participants to make certain they were on board the decision.

“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 clarified it had intentionally designed the timetable to allow as many competitors as possible to “double up”, not only in events including the sprints but additionally the 800m and 1500m and the longer track events. Officials confirmed that there would be a decade’s worth of competition at the LA Coliseum, with a mixed 100m relay being introduced, along with 72 hours of street competitions at the end 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 renders it improbable that US sprinter Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone can run in both the 400-meter and 400-meter hurdles, because the hurdles semifinals and the 400m final are on the same day.

Aquatics has traditionally kicked off the Olympics. Yet because it is taking place in SoFi Stadium, where the inaugural event, it commences in the following week.

Planners additionally announced that day one will feature the most women’s finals ever in a 24-hour period in Games’ history, with the female triathlon title one of the prizes available. Additionally, they planned a action-packed Saturday on the second-to-last day, with 26 first-place awards across 23 sports available.

Shana Ferguson, LA28’s chief of sport and games delivery, explained the plan is to sell about 14,000,000 tickets across 51 events at 49 venues, with public sales due to begin in spring 2026. Officials added that planners are avoiding the disputed dynamic pricing model that sparked criticism among music enthusiasts recently and was trialled by Fifa at the Club World Cup in the US.