- - Exclusive: 2028 LA Olympics full schedule is out with big change to put women first

Christine Brennan, USA TODAY November 12, 2025 at 10:00 PM

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The 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics are still more than two and a half years away, but organizers made a significant statement in the sports world’s continual journey toward equality for women by announcing that the women’s 100-meter track final, not the men’s, will open the first night of medal competition at the Games. The men’s 100 final, which traditionally goes first, will be held the next evening.

"It’s really important that we're able not only to talk about equality, but to actually demonstrate it in a really powerful way, and there's no bigger platform than the first day of an Olympic Games featuring the women’s 100-meter final,” Olympic gold medalist and World Athletics president Sebastian Coe said Tuesday during an exclusive interview with USA TODAY Sports, which is first to report the news of the 2028 Olympic competition schedule. Registration for tickets will begin in January 2026 at LA28.org.

Olympic gold medalist Janet Evans, LA28 chief athlete officer, said it was "incredible” for the women’s 100 meters "to be the preeminent event at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles 2028 on the first night of competition in the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.”

And U.S. Olympic gold and silver medalist Sha’Carri Richardson said the road to LA28 is "about to be something special."

”Especially for the women’s sprints,” Richardson said in a text message sent by a World Athletics spokesperson. "The talent, energy, and competition … it’s all going to shine. Just look at Day One of the LA Games. I’m locked in on accomplishing some personal goals and doing my part to help the sport keep growing and inspiring the next generation at home in the USA and across the globe.”

The L.A. Olympics begin July 14, 2028 with the opening ceremony, followed the next day by the first medal event, women’s triathlon, taking place in the Games’ Venice Beach zone. Later that night, the women’s 100 final will be run inside the venerable Coliseum, also site of the 1932 and 1984 Summer Olympics.

To stick to that schedule, all three rounds of the women’s 100 meters will need to be run the same day, July 15, which is a first at the Olympic Games. The men will run their first round on July 15 and the semifinals and final on July 16.

Both Coe and Evans said athletes and coaches were consulted before that decision was made.

Larissa Latynina, competing for the Soviet Union, won 4 gold medals in the 1956 Melbourne Games, 3 more in Rome (1960) and 2 in Tokyo (1964) to finish with 9 in her career. She also won 5 silver and 4 bronze medals to become the most successful female Olympian of all time with 18 total medals.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/tjM3yzEB.catDUDrV1FkAA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/ef281246ad89e1d8df53c451c427f5b7 class=caas-img data-headline="Look back at the most decorated female Olympic athletes in history" data-caption="

Larissa Latynina, competing for the Soviet Union, won 4 gold medals in the 1956 Melbourne Games, 3 more in Rome (1960) and 2 in Tokyo (1964) to finish with 9 in her career. She also won 5 silver and 4 bronze medals to become the most successful female Olympian of all time with 18 total medals.

">Larissa Latynina, competing for the Soviet Union, won 4 gold medals in the 1956 Melbourne Games, 3 more in Rome (1960) and 2 in Tokyo (1964) to finish with 9 in her career. She also won 5 silver and 4 bronze medals to become the most successful female Olympian of all time with 18 total medals.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/tjM3yzEB.catDUDrV1FkAA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/ef281246ad89e1d8df53c451c427f5b7 class=caas-img>Cross country skier, Marit Bjoergen of Norway: 8 gold, 4 silver, 3 bronze.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/y8Ne8QXKZWDkaoPCf0FrMg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/7dfb3d7ac12329dcae5066293551c1f8 class=caas-img data-headline="Look back at the most decorated female Olympic athletes in history" data-caption="

Cross country skier, Marit Bjoergen of Norway: 8 gold, 4 silver, 3 bronze.

">Cross country skier, Marit Bjoergen of Norway: 8 gold, 4 silver, 3 bronze.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/y8Ne8QXKZWDkaoPCf0FrMg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/7dfb3d7ac12329dcae5066293551c1f8 class=caas-img>Speed skater Ireen Wust of Netherlands: 6 gold, 5 silver, 2 bronze.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ylltZHFFhtzglggbGU656A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/1b079c27acd592b73ae44a20d90a05b4 class=caas-img data-headline="Look back at the most decorated female Olympic athletes in history" data-caption="

Speed skater Ireen Wust of Netherlands: 6 gold, 5 silver, 2 bronze.

">Speed skater Ireen Wust of Netherlands: 6 gold, 5 silver, 2 bronze.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ylltZHFFhtzglggbGU656A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/1b079c27acd592b73ae44a20d90a05b4 class=caas-img>German Birgit Fischer, left, of Germany has 12 medals: 8 gold, 4 silver, 0 bronze.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/N1MMadHdkZjtSqK1taDTiQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MzA-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/4fbe8d1ea31d2380c05c143c9fe03b5e class=caas-img data-headline="Look back at the most decorated female Olympic athletes in history" data-caption="

German Birgit Fischer, left, of Germany has 12 medals: 8 gold, 4 silver, 0 bronze.

">German Birgit Fischer, left, of Germany has 12 medals: 8 gold, 4 silver, 0 bronze.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/N1MMadHdkZjtSqK1taDTiQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MzA-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/4fbe8d1ea31d2380c05c143c9fe03b5e class=caas-img>American Jenny Thompson has 12 swimming medals: 8 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/V91QB0Q_4Mtak15Y4w5UAg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNTM0/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/0f29e51d61cd4e06f6157beb6efe34c5 class=caas-img data-headline="Look back at the most decorated female Olympic athletes in history" data-caption="

American Jenny Thompson has 12 swimming medals: 8 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze.

">American Jenny Thompson has 12 swimming medals: 8 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/V91QB0Q_4Mtak15Y4w5UAg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNTM0/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/0f29e51d61cd4e06f6157beb6efe34c5 class=caas-img>Germany's Isabell Werth, competing with horse Wendy in equestrian dressage team grand prix during the 2024 Paris Olympics, has 12 total medals: 7 gold and 5 silver.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/TpSwHvd3oLinYG8U8vhQDQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD05NDM-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/ffbb6f333c586728e552a57174864d52 class=caas-img data-headline="Look back at the most decorated female Olympic athletes in history" data-caption="

Germany's Isabell Werth, competing with horse Wendy in equestrian dressage team grand prix during the 2024 Paris Olympics, has 12 total medals: 7 gold and 5 silver.

">Germany's Isabell Werth, competing with horse Wendy in equestrian dressage team grand prix during the 2024 Paris Olympics, has 12 total medals: 7 gold and 5 silver.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/TpSwHvd3oLinYG8U8vhQDQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD05NDM-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/ffbb6f333c586728e552a57174864d52 class=caas-img>American swimmer Dara Torres won 12 total medals across five Olympics from 1984-2008: 4 gold, 4 silver, 4 bronze.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/prarsSzVqVSFxtIidvtBLw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNjA4/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/466ebee46efd3967787ae3b38cdf29b0 class=caas-img data-headline="Look back at the most decorated female Olympic athletes in history" data-caption="

American swimmer Dara Torres won 12 total medals across five Olympics from 1984-2008: 4 gold, 4 silver, 4 bronze.

">American swimmer Dara Torres won 12 total medals across five Olympics from 1984-2008: 4 gold, 4 silver, 4 bronze.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/prarsSzVqVSFxtIidvtBLw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNjA4/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/466ebee46efd3967787ae3b38cdf29b0 class=caas-img>American swimmer Natalie Coughlin also won 12 medals: 3 gold, 4 silver, 5 bronze.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ebAuSUb.axaiFxkCO.HJFQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzI0/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/f95caa561c65bfabda658126e7d5e22d class=caas-img data-headline="Look back at the most decorated female Olympic athletes in history" data-caption="

American swimmer Natalie Coughlin also won 12 medals: 3 gold, 4 silver, 5 bronze.

">American swimmer Natalie Coughlin also won 12 medals: 3 gold, 4 silver, 5 bronze.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ebAuSUb.axaiFxkCO.HJFQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzI0/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/f95caa561c65bfabda658126e7d5e22d class=caas-img>Vera Caslavska, who competed for Czechoslovakia, is a gymnast who won 11 medals: 7 gold and 4 silver.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ivGHvML01GE8rCqJh5FszQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNjEy/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/428eaec82a8986c163f3f584c1ddf5b9 class=caas-img data-headline="Look back at the most decorated female Olympic athletes in history" data-caption="

Vera Caslavska, who competed for Czechoslovakia, is a gymnast who won 11 medals: 7 gold and 4 silver.

">Vera Caslavska, who competed for Czechoslovakia, is a gymnast who won 11 medals: 7 gold and 4 silver.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ivGHvML01GE8rCqJh5FszQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNjEy/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/428eaec82a8986c163f3f584c1ddf5b9 class=caas-img>American Allyson Felix is the most successful woman in Olympic track and field history, winning 11 medals in her career: 7 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/C8K9G9WGjo2WD4KdC9JxTw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04NTE-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/ba98bbdc5e90316d20e24a7f69e4fd47 class=caas-img data-headline="Look back at the most decorated female Olympic athletes in history" data-caption="

American Allyson Felix is the most successful woman in Olympic track and field history, winning 11 medals in her career: 7 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze.

">American Allyson Felix is the most successful woman in Olympic track and field history, winning 11 medals in her career: 7 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/C8K9G9WGjo2WD4KdC9JxTw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04NTE-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/ba98bbdc5e90316d20e24a7f69e4fd47 class=caas-img>

American Katie Ledecky has won 10 Olympic swimming medals so far: 7 gold and 3 silver.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/_IOk_8qbVYMhzAPXPzusSw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04NTU-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/6250a2121230edd3f777e56aaf2a2a5f class=caas-img data-headline="Look back at the most decorated female Olympic athletes in history" data-caption="

American Katie Ledecky has won 10 Olympic swimming medals so far: 7 gold and 3 silver.

">American Katie Ledecky has won 10 Olympic swimming medals so far: 7 gold and 3 silver.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/_IOk_8qbVYMhzAPXPzusSw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04NTU-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/6250a2121230edd3f777e56aaf2a2a5f class=caas-img>Anges Keleti (left) of Hungary won 10 gymnastics medals: 5 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/UMLBGKaS6Y27ohXs.8QutA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNDkz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/4af68eb35bbb97de81cd3e5217dcb047 class=caas-img data-headline="Look back at the most decorated female Olympic athletes in history" data-caption="

Anges Keleti (left) of Hungary won 10 gymnastics medals: 5 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze.

">Anges Keleti (left) of Hungary won 10 gymnastics medals: 5 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/UMLBGKaS6Y27ohXs.8QutA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNDkz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/4af68eb35bbb97de81cd3e5217dcb047 class=caas-img>Polina Astakhova is from Ukraine, but competed for the Soviet Union. She has 10 Olympic medals in gymnastics: 5 gold, 2 silver, 3 bronze.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Bni3qgJSVZLUDa27M51bew--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzY0/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c4e337ce5a0ab461001f2350a10d832a class=caas-img data-headline="Look back at the most decorated female Olympic athletes in history" data-caption="

Polina Astakhova is from Ukraine, but competed for the Soviet Union. She has 10 Olympic medals in gymnastics: 5 gold, 2 silver, 3 bronze.

">Polina Astakhova is from Ukraine, but competed for the Soviet Union. She has 10 Olympic medals in gymnastics: 5 gold, 2 silver, 3 bronze.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Bni3qgJSVZLUDa27M51bew--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xNzY0/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c4e337ce5a0ab461001f2350a10d832a class=caas-img>Cross country skier Raisa Smetanina from the Soviet Union won 10 medals: 4 gold, 5 silver, 1 bronze

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Z9QELbbOwMt5BqnPdVVYnA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODg4/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/6e02be03fe0b06599a62ee0912656ea6 class=caas-img data-headline="Look back at the most decorated female Olympic athletes in history" data-caption="

Cross country skier Raisa Smetanina from the Soviet Union won 10 medals: 4 gold, 5 silver, 1 bronze

">Cross country skier Raisa Smetanina from the Soviet Union won 10 medals: 4 gold, 5 silver, 1 bronze

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Z9QELbbOwMt5BqnPdVVYnA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODg4/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/6e02be03fe0b06599a62ee0912656ea6 class=caas-img>American swimmer Allison Schmitt celebrated winning 10 Olympic medals during her career: 4 gold, 3 silver, 3 bronze.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/kSLT1JXdFTgEWy5RGNSAIA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MTg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/236e3ef87101a243087582c4ec16430a class=caas-img data-headline="Look back at the most decorated female Olympic athletes in history" data-caption="

American swimmer Allison Schmitt celebrated winning 10 Olympic medals during her career: 4 gold, 3 silver, 3 bronze.

">American swimmer Allison Schmitt celebrated winning 10 Olympic medals during her career: 4 gold, 3 silver, 3 bronze.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/kSLT1JXdFTgEWy5RGNSAIA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MTg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/236e3ef87101a243087582c4ec16430a class=caas-img>Italy's Stefania Belmondo, skiing down a hill during a cross country competition at the 1994 Games in Lillehammer, Norway, won 10 medals in her Olympic career. - 2 gold, 3 silver, 5 bronze.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/uz2U3Z8I7n7Q3tDEag.XHQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MzI-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/622da6cb04a838b330f6cb5ac212ac29 class=caas-img data-headline="Look back at the most decorated female Olympic athletes in history" data-caption="

Italy's Stefania Belmondo, skiing down a hill during a cross country competition at the 1994 Games in Lillehammer, Norway, won 10 medals in her Olympic career. - 2 gold, 3 silver, 5 bronze.

">Italy's Stefania Belmondo, skiing down a hill during a cross country competition at the 1994 Games in Lillehammer, Norway, won 10 medals in her Olympic career. - 2 gold, 3 silver, 5 bronze.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/uz2U3Z8I7n7Q3tDEag.XHQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MzI-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/622da6cb04a838b330f6cb5ac212ac29 class=caas-img>German Franziska van Almsick swam to 10 medals, winning 4 silver and 6 bronze but missing out on gold.

" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/xeKxDH.4olYIs4kvwcF0Vw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD05NTA-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/69103354c1d46122aacd62721c18d046 class=caas-img data-headline="Look back at the most decorated female Olympic athletes in history" data-caption="

German Franziska van Almsick swam to 10 medals, winning 4 silver and 6 bronze but missing out on gold.

">German Franziska van Almsick swam to 10 medals, winning 4 silver and 6 bronze but missing out on gold.

" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/xeKxDH.4olYIs4kvwcF0Vw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD05NTA-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/69103354c1d46122aacd62721c18d046 class=caas-img>

1 / 18Look back at the most decorated female Olympic athletes in history

Larissa Latynina, competing for the Soviet Union, won 4 gold medals in the 1956 Melbourne Games, 3 more in Rome (1960) and 2 in Tokyo (1964) to finish with 9 in her career. She also won 5 silver and 4 bronze medals to become the most successful female Olympian of all time with 18 total medals.

"It was one of the things we talked about, running three 100 meters in one day," Evans said. "How would that feel as an athlete, mentally and physically? What does that mean? And we took that question very seriously as we spoke to athletes commissions of LA28 as well as athletes commissions from World Athletics. … And so I think when we presented it to the athletes that way, there was excitement. And for the few naysayers, the majority of the athletes said to me, just let me know, right? Like, let me know if this is what's going to happen, let me know early, and I will start training to run three 100 meters in one day, because it can be done, but I just need to schedule my training.”

Swimming is usually held the first week of the Summer Games and track and field the second, but the two Olympic behemoths are swapping in 2028 for no reason other than logistics. The opening ceremony is going to take place in SoFi Stadium, which is also where the swimming competition will be held. The makeover of the venue will require a few days, necessitating pushing swimming into the Games’ second week for the first time since the 1968 Mexico City Olympics.

The L.A. Olympics will feature a record number of female athletes, with 50.5% of the total athlete quota allocated to women in the Games’ 51 sports, according to LA28. This is a continuation of the Olympic Games’ push for equal participation and billing for women athletes, which goes all the way to the top of the International Olympic Committee with its first female president, Olympic gold medalist Kirsty Coventry.

2028 LA Olympics full schedule

The Los Angeles Olympic Games will be the biggest Games in history with 51 sports across 49 competition venues throughout the Los Angeles region and Oklahoma City. The Olympic Opening Ceremony will take place July 14, 2028 at 8 p.m. ET and the Closing Ceremony will be Day 16, July 30, 2028 at 9 p.m. ET. Here is the full list of events by date and time.

The full schedule for the 2028 LA Olympics includes a big change for the first event. The women's 100-meter track event will open the Games, which is traditionally kicked off by the men's 100-meter.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2028 LA Olympics full schedule: Women's 100 track final opens medal competition

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