The Athletics championship is set to start in the first week of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games to optimise the venue master plan, organisers have announced.
World Athletics and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee (LA28) indicated that the change is aimed at optimising the venue master plan, and “promises to elevate the Olympic experience for athletes and viewers alike, as the world’s greatest track and field athletes give the Games their most electrifying start in history.”
The athletics event now takes place in the first week of the Olympic Games at the iconic LA Memorial Coliseum, which will also make history as the first stadium to host events at three Olympic Games.
Sebastian Coe, President of World Athletics said he is excited “to support this visionary timetable change for LA28. This change underscores our commitment to innovation in athletics and elevating the global profile of our athletes. By prioritising athletics in the first week, the Games will witness the most thrilling of starts, captivating audiences worldwide and setting the stage for an unforgettable Olympic journey for global audiences.”
The schedule adjustment sees swimming events move to the second week and is expected to unlock unparalleled opportunities for athletics in pre-Games promotion and Games-time viewership, according to World Athletics.
The first-week scheduling positions athletics at the forefront of the Games, ensuring a strong start and sustained excitement throughout the event. The historic marathon events will remain over the last weekend, with medals presented during the closing ceremony.
