Olympics 2028: IOC reveals new swimming, table tennis, golf, athletics events for LA
World’s leading short-distance swimmers delighted, while women athletes will exceed men for the first time
The addition of six new swimming events for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics was described as “an amazing decision” by Britain’s Adam Peaty as he announced his intention to compete at a fourth Games.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) ratified a move that will see the 50-metre backstroke, butterfly and breaststroke all contested for the first time.
Previously, only freestyle was raced over the sport’s shortest distance despite all four strokes being on the schedule at world championships.
The IOC also announced that the number of female athletes competing in Los Angeles (5,333) will exceed men (5,167) for the first time. It follows the women’s football tournament being boosted to 16 teams. The men’s competition has 12.
An additional women’s weight category in boxing and two extra women’s water polo teams ensure gender parity in those sports.
A number of new mixed-team events were also confirmed, including in golf, gymnastics and table tennis, while a 4x100m mixed relay was added to the track and field competition.