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The female 100m title race will take center stage on the first day of competition at the LA28 Olympic Games as a key element in planners' plans to “launch spectacularly”.

The unanticipated decision, that means each heat of the 100m occurring on the single day, received support by American track athlete Sha’Carri Richardson, who commented that it showed “athletics is stepping into the spotlight”.

Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith supported the adjustment for the Games, set from July 15th to 30th. “This is a thrilling chance – honoring the lasting impact, resilience, and worldwide influence of women’s sprinting, a full century after women first entered Olympic athletics,” she continued.

Although sprinters normally run a maximum of twice a day, the sport’s governing body stated it had sought input broadly with participants to guarantee they supported 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.’”

The international federation explained it had deliberately arranged the schedule to permit as many athletes as possible to “double up”, not only in events including the 100m and 200m but also the middle-distance runs and the 1500m and 5,000m. Officials confirmed that there would be 10 days’ worth of competition at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, with a mixed 100m relay being introduced, as well as 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.”

However, the line-up makes it unlikely that US sprinter Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone may compete in the 400-meter and 400-meter hurdles, given the hurdles semifinals and the 400-meter championship occur simultaneously.

Swimming has customarily initiated the Summer Games. Yet because it is being held in the SoFi venue, where the inaugural event, it will now start in the following week.

Planners additionally announced that the first day will feature the most women’s finals ever in a single day in Olympic history, with the female triathlon title one of the prizes available. They have also scheduled a action-packed Saturday on the penultimate day, with 26 first-place awards across 23 sports up for grabs.

Shana Ferguson, LA28’s chief of sport and games delivery, said the plan is to offer approximately 14 million tickets across 51 Olympic sports at 49 locations, with public sales starting in April 2026. Officials added that organisers would not employ the controversial flexible ticket pricing that caused anger among Oasis fans this past summer and was trialled by the football governing body at the international club tournament in the United States.