Athletics will take place during the first week of the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028.

The unprecedented time table change was announced today by World Athletics and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee.

The change, aimed at optimising the iconic LA Memorial Coliseum, 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.

“We are excited to support this visionary timetable change for LA28,” said Sebastian Coe, President of World Athletics. “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.”

According to World Athletics and LA28 the adjustment, which sees swimming events move to the second week, will unlock unparalleled opportunities for athletics in pre-Games promotion and Games-time viewership.

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.

The swap allows athletics, for the first time in memory, to benefit from the high level of interest and excitement provided by the opening ceremony.

The Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games will be held from 14-30 July 2028, featuring over 10,000 athletes from more than 200 nations competing in 35 sports currently in the LA28 sport programme. This marks the third time Los Angeles will host the Olympics, following the 1932 and 1984 Games.