La 2028 Olympics: Starting And Ending With A Sprinting Spectacle

Athletics will take center stage throughout the LA 2028 Olympic Games, giving track and field stars a chance to shine across the event's entirety. This fresh approach means the games will "open with a bang," featuring the women's 100m final on the first day.

Traditionally reserved for the second week, track and field will make its debut on July 15, with the thrilling women's 100m sprint kicking things off. As LA's sun blazes over the Memorial Coliseum, athletes will bring their A-game to the track, and the men’s marathon will close the spectacle on July 30. Over ten action-packed days will unfold at the Coliseum, surrounded by LA's iconic palm trees and vibrant energy, with three additional days for road events later.

This energetic start means elite female sprinters, including the renowned Sha’Carri Richardson, will sprint through all competition rounds on day one. Normally stretched over two days, this fast-paced format has been embraced by the competitors. Richardson, the 2023 American world champion, expressed enthusiasm about this change, saying, “It shows that track and field is having its moment.”