Knox Little Athletics Centre Inc.

World Athletics has released the full athletics timetable for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, unveiling one of the most significant schedule overhauls the sport has seen in decades. From shifting the entire athletics program into the first week of the Games to opening with the women’s 100 m final, LA28 promises a dramatically reimagined Olympic experience for athletes and fans.

Athletics Moves to Week 1 for the First Time

Breaking from more than a century of Olympic tradition, the athletics program will now take place largely in the first week of the Games, running from 15 July to 30 July 2028.

The opening 10 days (15–24 July) will be held at the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, while the closing days will focus on road events, including the men’s marathon on the final day of competition.

This adjustment places athletics at the forefront of the Games, setting the tone and energy for the entire Olympic schedule.

One of the most striking changes is the decision to schedule the women’s 100 m heats, semi-finals, and final all on Day 1 of the athletics program.

The opening session on 15 July will also feature the men’s 10,000 m final and the women’s shot put final, creating one of the most high-profile opening days in Olympic history. The men’s 100 m final is set for Day 2, adding even more early excitement.

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe described the decision as “innovative while still honouring the sport’s traditions,” noting the symbolic significance of placing women’s sprinting at the heart of the Games’ opening moments.

Schedule Designed to Encourage Event Doubling

World Athletics has intentionally crafted the 2028 timetable to support athletes pursuing multiple events. The schedule supports several popular doubling combinations, including:

• 100 m & 200 m
• 200 m & 400 m
• 800 m & 1500 m
• 5000 m & 10,000 m
• Long jump & triple jump

Athletes such as Noah Lyles, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden are expected to benefit from the new structure.

To further support performance and recovery, events have been spaced with built-in rest periods. For example, the 400 m will incorporate a repechage round with at least 36 hours of recovery, while the 800 m and 1500 m will see roughly 24 hours between rounds.

A Century-On Celebration of Women’s Athletics

The 2028 Games mark 100 years since women first competed in Olympic track and field (Amsterdam 1928). Positioning the women’s 100 m as the opening marquee event acknowledges that history while celebrating the global strength of women’s sprinting today.

Athletes worldwide have welcomed the move:

• Sha’Carri Richardson said the road to LA28 would be “special,” praising the energy and depth in the event.
• Dina Asher-Smith highlighted the symbolic power of launching the Games with the premier women’s sprint.

A New Era for Olympic Athletics

The LA 2028 schedule represents a bold rethinking of how athletics fits within the Olympic Games. By shifting to Week 1, championing innovation, and elevating women’s sport to the forefront of the program, World Athletics and LA28 have created a timetable that promises electric performances from start to finish.

More detailed session-by-session scheduling, including event times and finals lists, will be released closer to the Games.

With 2.5 year to go to the olympics who are we going to see represent Australia??? Exciting times ahead.

Did you know that the current president of Australian Athletics was a Knox Little Athlete.

At Knox Little Athletics, we love celebrating the amazing journeys of our athletes — and few stories are as inspiring as that of Jane Flemming OAM.

Jane’s athletics journey began right here at Fairpark Little Athletics in the 1970s. Even as a young “little athlete,” her talent and determination shone through, setting the foundation for a career that would take her all the way to the world stage. 🏃‍♀️✨

Progressing to senior competition with Knox-Sherbrooke Athletics in the 1980s, Jane quickly made her mark. She won an incredible 13 national titles across heptathlon, hurdles, and sprints — achievements that placed her among Australia’s top athletes.

Her international career was equally extraordinary:

Silver medal in heptathlon at the 1986 Commonwealth Games 🥈

Gold medals in heptathlon and long jump at the 1990 Commonwealth Games 🥇🥇

Represented Australia at two Olympic Games, competing against the world’s best 🌏🇦🇺

Remarkably, Jane’s legacy still lives on at Knox. She holds records at Knox Seniors, inspiring young athletes to aim high and dream big.

Off the track, Jane has remained a powerful advocate for sport and community. She founded Flemming Promotions, supports youth health initiatives, and since 2023 serves as President of Australian Athletics, guiding the sport into an exciting future — including the 2032 Brisbane Olympics 💪🎉.

From grassroots beginnings at Knox Little Athletics to leading the national athletics body, Jane Flemming OAM’s story is a shining example of what passion, dedication, and hard work can achieve. She continues to inspire our athletes — and reminds us all that greatness often starts with a single step at your local club. 🙌💖

The Athletics Knox Board of Management, together with Knox Little Athletics and other tenant clubs, is pleased to acknowledge a recent $850 Grant received from Knox City Council through their Minor Grants Program.

This funding helped purchase a Synthetic Grass Sweeper, which will support the ongoing maintenance of the new synthetic grass areas installed as part of our recent facility redevelopment. The synthetic grass along the front straight and jump pits has been very well received by all members and has been a fantastic addition to our facility. 🌱

This is one of several grants received from Knox City Council in recent years. These contributions are vital in enabling the Board of Management to continue improving and enhancing our venue for athletes, volunteers, and the wider community. 👏

Today, we’re shining a spotlight on a remarkable athlete from our club’s early years – Astra Vitols, a Knox Little Athletics star whose talent has left a lasting legacy.

In the early 1970s, Astra achieved something extraordinary, setting multiple Knox and Centre Records in 1971 and 1972 that still stand today – 53 years later!

1971

🏅 Shot Put: 11.46m (Knox – set at State Champs)

1972

🏅 U12G Shot Put: 14.56m (Centre – normal competition)
🏅 U12G Discus: 35.59m (Centre – normal competition)
🏅 U12G Shot Put: 14.96m (Knox – set at State Champs)
🏅 U12G Discus: 36.99m (Knox – set at State Champs)

At just 21, Astra returned to athletics “just for a throw” – and after only two weeks of training, she placed 3rd at the Australian Championships!

From there, her career went global:

🇬🇧 1986 Commonwealth Games – Edinburgh: Final 8 (Shot Put)
🌍 Competed throughout Europe with the AIS team
🇪🇸 1989 World Cup – Barcelona: Selected for the Australian Team
🇳🇿 1990 Commonwealth Games – Auckland: Bronze Medal – Discus 🥉

👏 We celebrate Astra Vitols for her extraordinary achievements and the legacy she created for future Knox athletes.

As the weather has not improved this morning, and with athlete safety in mind, the committee has made the decision to cancel today’s meet.

See you all next Saturday for Program A.