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This women's 100m final will headline the opening day of competition at the LA28 Olympics as part of planners' plans to “open with a bang”.

The unanticipated choice, which will lead to each heat of the 100m taking place on the single day, was praised by US sprint star Sha’Carri Richardson, who remarked that it demonstrated “the sport is enjoying a resurgence”.

The UK’s Dina Asher-Smith supported the adjustment for the Games, scheduled 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 runners normally run a maximum of twice a day, World Athletics stated it had sought input broadly with athletes to guarantee they were on board 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.’”

The international federation clarified it had intentionally designed the schedule to permit as many athletes as possible to “compete in multiple events”, not just in events like the 100m and 200m but also the middle-distance runs and the 1500m and 5,000m. It said that there would be 10 days’ worth of competition at the LA Coliseum, with a co-ed sprint relay premiering, plus three days of road events 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 schedule makes it unlikely that American athlete Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone may compete in the 400m and the 400 hurdles, since the 400m hurdles semi-finals and the 400m final are on the same day.

Aquatics has historically kicked off the Summer Games. But as it is taking place in the SoFi venue, which hosts the inaugural event, it commences in the second week.

Officials additionally announced that day one will showcase the highest number of female championship events ever in a single day in Games’ history, with the female triathlon title among those up for grabs. They have also scheduled a mega Saturday on the second-to-last day, with 26 titles across 23 disciplines up for grabs.

An LA28 official, the head of sport and games delivery for LA28, said the plan is to offer approximately 14 million passes across 51 events at 49 venues, with general ticket sales starting in April 2026. It was also confirmed that organisers will not use the controversial flexible ticket pricing that provoked outrage among Oasis fans recently and tested by the football governing body at football’s Club World Cup in the US.