'Majority of the top sprinters agreed' - Seb Coe defends controversial single-day women's 100m schedule at LA 2028 Olympics

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe has addressed the controversy surrounding the decision to hold all three rounds of the women's 100m on a single day at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, asserting that the change was made with the full support of the athletes themselves.

In a departure from the traditional two-day format used at major championships, the governing body announced last November that the heats, semi-finals, and final of the women's 100m will all take place on the same day. This scheduling shift is part of a wider plan that will see athletics featured throughout the entire duration of the Games for the first time.

Speaking after a visit to Jamaica, Coe explained that logistical issues in Los Angeles were the catalyst for the new timetable.

"There were some challenges in the timetable in Los Angeles, and that actually gave us the opportunity of having athletics going first this time," he said. "For the very first time, I think, in pretty much the modern history of the Games, and that’s really around venue allocation."

The decision has sparked significant criticism, especially from Jamaica, a powerhouse in women's sprinting. Prominent figures have raised concerns that athletes could be forced to run three high-intensity races in less than 12 hours.

Stephen Francis, former coach of the legendary Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, called the move "anti-female," while Glen Mills, Usain Bolt's former coach, said it "sends the wrong message" and suggested female athletes were "being sacrificed."

However, Coe firmly refuted these accusations, emphasizing that extensive consultations were held with top sprinters and their coaches, who he says embraced the proposal.

"We spoke to all the top 100m athletes in a detailed engagement. We have the exchanges, the WhatsApps, the written verification, particularly amongst their coaches," Coe stated.

He added that the "overwhelming majority" of female sprinters were not only comfortable with the one-day format but were also excited by the prospect of competing for the first major medal of the Olympic Games.

Coe also dismissed claims that male athletes were given preferential treatment. "This isn’t about finding an opportunity to protect the men and just put the women out there first," he explained. "We actually also engaged with the men, and the men were more reticent about doing all that in one day. It was the women and their coaches who were comfortable around that."

To address concerns, Coe noted that adjustments have been made to the schedule, including a longer rest period between the semi-final and the final. "We had 20 individual discussions with athletes at the very highest level... and I think 17 of those that we discussed it with were comfortable about it," he said.

The World Athletics president confirmed the format is not permanent and will be reviewed after the Games. "It may well be when we get to Brisbane [2032], we look at something different," Coe concluded. "But if it works, and the women are comfortable with that, then it may well be that we will follow their lead."