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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 “start with excitement”.

This unexpected decision, which will lead to all three rounds of the 100m occurring on the same day, received support by US sprint star Sha’Carri Richardson, who commented that it indicated “track and field is having its moment”.

Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith also backed the adjustment for the Olympics, 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 usually run a maximum of twice a day, the sport’s governing body stated it had sought input broadly with athletes to ensure they supported the plan.

“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.’”

World Athletics clarified it had intentionally designed the timetable to allow as many competitors as possible to “compete in multiple events”, not just in events like the sprints but also the middle-distance runs and the longer track events. The organization stated there would be a decade’s worth of events at the LA Coliseum, with a mixed 100m relay premiering, as well as 72 hours of street competitions at the conclusion of the Olympics.

“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 schedule renders it improbable that American athlete Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone may compete in the 400m and the 400 hurdles, because the 400m hurdles semi-finals and the 400-meter championship fall on the identical date.

Aquatics has customarily started the Olympics. But as it is being held in the SoFi venue, which hosts the inaugural event, it commences in the following week.

Organisers further stated that day one will feature the highest number of female championship events ever in a 24-hour period in Games’ history, with the female triathlon title among those up for grabs. They arranged a mega Saturday on the penultimate day, with 26 gold medals across 23 sports up for grabs.

An LA28 official, LA28’s chief of sport and games delivery, said the goal is to offer approximately 14 million tickets across 51 disciplines at 49 locations, with public sales scheduled to open in April 2026. It was also confirmed that planners are avoiding the disputed dynamic pricing model that caused anger among music enthusiasts this past summer and was trialled by Fifa at football’s Club World Cup in the US.