The Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed this week the medal event program and athlete quota for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. This event will set a record for the number of medals awarded, with new mixed events and significant advances in gender equality, elevating women’s sports to unprecedented levels.

For the first time in the history of the Olympic Games, the soccer tournament will feature more women’s teams than men’s teams. The women’s competition will expand to 16 teams, while the men’s competition will be adjusted to 12, keeping the overall size of the tournament consistent with previous editions. This change represents a milestone in the promotion of women’s sports globally.

In addition, sports such as water polo and boxing will achieve gender equality in Los Angeles 2028. In water polo, the women’s tournament will be expanded to 12 teams, matching the men’s tournament. In boxing, a new weight category for women will be added, bringing the total to seven categories for both men and women, completing a 20-year process toward parity.

Expansion of mixed-gender competitions

Los Angeles 2028 will debut six new mixed-gender competitions in disciplines such as archery (compound archery), artistic gymnastics, athletics (mixed 4×100 relay), coastal rowing (mixed double sculls), golf and table tennis. The International Gymnastics Federation will soon announce the format of the new mixed competition in artistic gymnastics.

3×3 basketball will also see an expansion, with 12 women’s and 12 men’s teams in 2028, reflecting the growing interest in the sport since its introduction at Tokyo 2020.

More swimming and sport climbing

Swimming will add six 50-meter events in backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly for both women and men, adding to freestyle. This will offer new medal opportunities for the world’s fastest swimmers.

In sport climbing, athletes will compete in three distinct events: speed, block and difficulty, separating the previous combined event. This change will allow the world’s best climbers to excel in their specialties.

Record female participation

The Los Angeles 2028 program of events will bring together 10,500 Olympic athletes in 31 sports, with up to 700 additional athletes competing in the five new sports proposed by LA28 and approved by the IOC in October 2023. This approach celebrates the largest female participation in Olympic Games history.

Approved venue master plan

LA28 also submitted its Olympic venue master plan to the IOC Executive Board, which was approved by the International Federations.