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The women's 100m title race will take center stage on the opening day of events at the LA28 Olympic Games as a key element in organisers' strategies to “launch spectacularly”.

The unanticipated move, which will lead to all three rounds of the 100m taking place on the identical date, was welcomed by US sprint star Sha’Carri Richardson, who stated that it demonstrated “athletics is stepping into the spotlight”.

The UK’s Dina Asher-Smith endorsed the adjustment for the Olympics, set from 15-30 July. “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.

While runners usually compete up to two times daily, the sport’s governing body confirmed it had sought input broadly with competitors to guarantee 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.’”

The international federation detailed it had intentionally designed the schedule to allow as many competitors as possible to “double up”, not just in events like the sprints but also the 800m and 1500m and the 1500m and 5,000m. Officials confirmed that there would be 10 days’ worth of events at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, with a co-ed sprint relay premiering, as well as 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.”

Nonetheless, the line-up suggests it’s doubtful that American athlete Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone may compete in the 400m and the 400 hurdles, given the 400m hurdles semi-finals and the 400m final fall on the identical date.

Aquatics has customarily kicked off the Olympics. But as it is taking place in the SoFi venue, where the opening ceremony, it commences in the second week.

Organisers further stated that day one will showcase the most women’s finals ever in a single day in Games’ history, with the women’s triathlon gold medal one of the prizes available. They arranged a action-packed Saturday on the penultimate day, with 26 titles across 23 disciplines up for grabs.

An LA28 official, the head of sport and games delivery for LA28, noted the aim is to sell about 14,000,000 tickets across 51 Olympic sports at 49 locations, with public availability scheduled to open in spring 2026. It was also confirmed that organisers would not employ the disputed dynamic pricing model that provoked outrage among Oasis fans this past summer and was trialled by Fifa at football’s Club World Cup in the United States.