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This female 100m final is set to feature on the inaugural day of events at the LA28 Olympics as a key element in planners' plans to “launch spectacularly”.

The unanticipated move, resulting in each heat of the 100m occurring on the same day, was welcomed by US sprint star Sha’Carri Richardson, who commented that it demonstrated “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. “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 typically race no more than twice per day, World Athletics confirmed it had consulted widely with athletes to make certain they agreed with 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 carefully structured the program to enable as many athletes as possible to “enter more than one race”, not only in disciplines like the 100m and 200m but also the 800m and 1500m and the 1500m and 5,000m. Officials confirmed that there would be 10 days’ worth of competition at the LA Coliseum, with a co-ed sprint relay premiering, along with three days of road events 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 line-up makes it unlikely that American athlete Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone can participate in the 400-meter and 400-meter hurdles, given the 400m hurdles semi-finals and the 400m final are on the same day.

Aquatics has traditionally started the Summer Games. But as it is occurring in SoFi Stadium, which hosts the inaugural event, it begins in the second week.

Officials also confirmed that day one will showcase the highest number of female championship events ever in a 24-hour period in Olympic history, with the women’s triathlon gold medal one of the prizes available. Additionally, they planned a mega Saturday on the penultimate day, with 26 gold medals 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 Olympic sports at 49 sites, with public availability due to begin in April 2026. It was also confirmed that organisers would not employ the contentious dynamic pricing model that sparked criticism among Oasis fans recently and tested by Fifa at the Club World Cup in the United States.