The 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles are set to make history by introducing an unprecedented number of new medal events and achieving full gender equality across the competition. With 351 medal events confirmed, LA28 will surpass Paris 2024 by 28 events, showcasing the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) ambition to evolve the Games for a modern, inclusive era.

Groundbreaking New Swimming Events Bring Pure Speed to the Olympic Pool

For the first time in Olympic history, sprint-distance swimming races in the 50-meter backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly will be featured for both men and women. These lightning-fast events, already crowd favorites at world championships, will now grace the Olympic stage, promising electrifying moments of sheer speed and precision in the water.

Mixed-Gender Competitions Expand Across Key Sports, Promoting Equality and Innovation

LA28 will witness a significant increase in mixed-gender events, reinforcing the Games’ commitment to gender balance. Artistic gymnastics will debut a mixed team event where male and female athletes perform side by side. Golf will also introduce a mixed-gender format, while athletics will feature a mixed 4x100m relay, bringing dynamic team strategies into the spotlight.

World-Class Venues Set the Stage for Spectacular Olympic Performances

Some of Los Angeles' most iconic venues will host these revamped competitions. SoFi Stadium in Inglewood will transform into the world’s largest Olympic natatorium with a seating capacity of 38,000. Artistic gymnastics will take place in the Crypto.com Arena, home of the Los Angeles Lakers, and track and field events will return to the legendary LA Memorial Coliseum.

LA28 Achieves a Historic Milestone: More Female Athletes Than Male Participants

In a landmark achievement for women’s sports, LA28 will be the first Olympic Games where female athletes outnumber male participants, with 5,655 quota spots allocated to women versus 5,543 for men. This milestone represents a culmination of years of advocacy for equal representation and reflects the IOC’s pledge to ensure fair opportunities across all disciplines.

Team Sports and Combat Disciplines Now Fully Gender-Balanced

LA28 brings full parity in team sports by expanding the women’s soccer tournament to 16 teams, exceeding the men’s 12-team roster. Women’s water polo will also see an increase in participation, matching the number of men's teams. Additionally, boxing will now feature an equal number of weight divisions for men and women with the inclusion of a seventh category for female boxers.

Diverse and Exciting New Sports Added to the LA28 Olympic Program

Five dynamic sports proposed by the LA28 Organizing Committee – baseball/softball, cricket, flag football, lacrosse, and squash – will either debut or make a return in 2028. These additions aim to broaden the Games’ global appeal while adding 698 new athlete quota spots, attracting fresh talent and diverse fan bases worldwide.

Athlete-Centric, Cost-Effective, and Globally Relevant – The Philosophy Behind LA28

The IOC received 46 event proposals from 24 international sports federations. The final selections were made based on principles emphasizing innovation, cost-efficiency, logistical feasibility, and athlete welfare. The goal is to deliver a Games experience that is exciting for fans while remaining sustainable and impactful for the athletes.

Leadership Change Heralds a New Era with IOC’s First Female President

The sweeping changes for LA28 were approved during an online IOC board meeting co-chaired from Lausanne by President-elect Kirsty Coventry. A former Olympic gold medalist in swimming, Coventry is set to become the first woman ever to lead the IOC, succeeding Thomas Bach in June. Her leadership symbolizes a fresh chapter of inclusivity and transformation for the Olympic Movement.

Los Angeles 2028: A Bold Blend of Tradition, Technology, and Transformation

From groundbreaking events to iconic venues and record-setting representation, the LA28 Olympic Games are poised to be a defining chapter in Olympic history. As the world turns its eyes to Los Angeles from July 14 to 30, 2028, the Games will not only celebrate athletic excellence but also embrace the evolution of sport, society, and the Olympic spirit.