The competition schedule for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games confirms that for the first time in history, athletics will span the entire Olympic period – starting on day one and running through to the final day of the Games.
The athletics competition will begin on Saturday 15 July 2028, as the women’s 100m takes centre stage on the first day of Olympic action. All three rounds – including the final – will take place that day, ensuring the Games opens with one of the most electrifying events in sport. The men’s 10,000m and women’s shot put finals will also feature in the opening session, followed by the men’s 100m final on day two.
In total, athletics will be contested across 13 days between 15-30 July 2028. In-stadium competition at the iconic LA Memorial Coliseum will run for the first 10 days (15-24 July), before the focus shifts to the road events on 27, 29 and 30 July – culminating in the men’s marathon on the final day, with medals presented during the closing ceremony.
Finals will feature in 17 of the 20 sessions, with the schedule carefully crafted to allow the maximum number of potential doubles – such as the 100m & 200m, 200m & 400m (plus relays), 800m & 1500m, 1500m & 5000m, 5000m & 10,000m, and long jump & triple jump. This opens the door for stars such as Noah Lyles, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden to emulate the heroics of LA 1984 Olympic legend Carl Lewis, while also enabling middle- and long-distance doubles reminiscent of past Olympic greats.
A new repechage format will provide improved recovery time for athletes – at least 36 hours between round one and repechage in the 400m, and about 24 hours for the 800m and 1500m. The mixed 4x100m relay will also make its Olympic debut, slotted between the 100m and 200m events.
