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This female 100m title race will headline the first day of competition at the LA28 Olympics as part of planners' strategies to “open with a bang”.

The unanticipated choice, which will lead to each heat of the 100m being held on the same day, received support by US sprint star Sha’Carri Richardson, who commented that it showed “track and field is having its moment”.

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.

While sprinters normally run a maximum of twice a day, the sport’s governing body announced it had sought input broadly with participants to make certain 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 detailed it had deliberately arranged the schedule to allow as many competitors as possible to “compete in multiple events”, not only in events like the 100m and 200m but additionally the 800m and 1500m and the 1500m and 5,000m. It said that there would be 10 days’ worth of events at the LA Coliseum, with a co-ed sprint relay making its debut, plus 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 suggests it’s doubtful that US sprinter Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone may run in both the 400-meter and 400-meter hurdles, since the hurdles semifinals and the 400m final occur simultaneously.

Aquatics has traditionally started the Olympics. However, since it is occurring in the SoFi venue, where the opening ceremony, it will now start in the second week.

Planners also confirmed that day one will feature the highest number of female championship events ever in a 24-hour period in Games’ history, with the women’s triathlon gold medal one of the prizes available. They have also scheduled a action-packed Saturday on the penultimate day, with 26 titles across 23 sports up for grabs.

An LA28 official, the head of sport and games delivery for LA28, noted the aim is to offer approximately 14,000,000 tickets across 51 disciplines at 49 sites, with general ticket sales due to begin in April 2026. Ferguson also confirmed that planners will not use the contentious flexible ticket pricing that provoked outrage among music enthusiasts this past summer and experimented with by Fifa at the Club World Cup in the United States.