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The female 100m title race is set to feature on the opening day of competition at the LA28 Olympics as part of organisers' strategies to “start with excitement”.

The surprise move, that means all three rounds of the 100m taking place on the same day, was praised by US sprint star Sha’Carri Richardson, who remarked that it indicated “the sport is enjoying a resurgence”.

The UK’s Dina Asher-Smith also backed the adjustment for the Olympics, scheduled from July 15th to 30th. “What an inspiring moment – marking the sustained heritage, power, and international reach of female sprinters, precisely one hundred years after their Olympic debut,” she noted.

Although sprinters normally race no more than twice per day, the sport’s governing body confirmed it had consulted widely with competitors to ensure they supported the arrangement.

“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 intentionally designed the program to permit as many competitors as possible to “double up”, not just in events such as the sprints but also the 800m and 1500m and the longer track events. Officials confirmed that there would be a decade’s worth of events at the LA Coliseum, with a mixed 100m relay premiering, plus three days of road events at the end of the Games.

“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.”

However, the schedule renders it improbable that US sprinter Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone can run in both the 400m and the 400 hurdles, given the hurdles semifinals and the 400-meter championship occur simultaneously.

Aquatics has customarily started the Summer Games. Yet because it is being held in SoFi Stadium, where the inaugural event, it begins in the second week.

Officials also confirmed that day one will feature 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 penultimate day, with 26 titles across 23 disciplines up for grabs.

Shana Ferguson, LA28’s chief of sport and games delivery, noted the goal is to sell about 14 million passes across 51 Olympic sports at 49 sites, with public sales due to begin in spring 2026. Officials added that organisers are avoiding the disputed dynamic pricing model that caused anger among music enthusiasts in the summer and was trialled by Fifa at football’s Club World Cup in the United States.