The Los Angeles 2028 Olympics announced the competition schedule with a major surprise: track and field will open on July 15, not swimming as had been the tradition.
Upon releasing the detailed schedule on Wednesday, organizers revealed that the first day at the Los Angeles Coliseum, July 15, will include the three rounds of the women’s 100 meters.
The women’s category will have up to three races on the same day, something the men’s category will not include.
Athletes will have up to three years to prepare for what could be physically demanding in the race for the gold medal in the 100-meter dash.
“Most athletes told me: ‘Let me know. Give me enough time, and I’ll start training to run three 100-meter races in one day,’” said Janet Evans, the gold-medal-winning swimmer who serves as athlete director for the Los Angeles Games.
Why won’t swimming be at the start of the 2028 Olympics?
Swimming, the sport that traditionally opened the Summer Olympics, will begin later because the opening ceremony will take place at SoFi Stadium, the same venue as the swimming competitions.
Organizers explained that it was not possible to set up the pool quickly enough for the swimming events.
Evans noted that the opportunity to swim in what many consider Los Angeles’ best new stadium, in front of 38,000 fans, is an opportunity her sport embraced enthusiastically.
Swimming will begin on July 22 and conclude on July 30, the final week of the Olympics.
Baseball and soccer to start before the Los Angeles 2028 opening ceremony
Sports such as baseball, soccer, rugby, field hockey, handball, basketball, and cricket will begin before the July 15 opening ceremony.
Baseball and softball return to the Olympic program after being absent from Paris 2024. Dodger Stadium will host baseball, which hopes to feature Major League stars.
Image: Opinion
