LA28 Could Hold Track & Field Events Outside Stadium, Per Reports

Track and field could see some major changes coming its way for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

World Athletics confirmed on Monday that the organization is considering holding some events outside the official track and field stadium during LA28, per a report from The Athletic.

The L.A. Coliseum, renovated in 2019 to include premium seating and reduce capacity to 77,500 seats, is expected to host the track and field competition for the third time in its history, following previous outings in 1932 and 1984.

World Athletics President Seb Coe and LA28 chairman Casey Wasserman met with reporters on a conference call to discuss the potential adjustments.

“We’re looking at out-of-stadium opportunities, and I know LA28 are very encouraging of that,” Coe told reporters.

While Coe did not confirm which track and field events the organization was considering moving to more intimate settings, he did suggest the reason for the possible shift is “to make the Olympic Games more accessible to more people.”

Then again, there are also logistics to consider.

LA28 has devised a $100 million plan to build a track on the existing Coliseum floor, which does not have enough space to accommodate a track.

Perhaps stationing events outside the stadium will allow for breathing room.

Track And Field Might Need To Adjust With The Times

Coe’s thoughts arrive on the heels of a successful Olympic experience in Paris, wherein various sporting events were held in non-traditional venues inside the heart of the city, including beach volleyball, which was held in makeshift stadium built at the Champ de Mars, just outside the Eiffel Tower; break dancing and 3 on 3 basketball, which were held in an urban arena transformed around La Concorde, a public square in Paris; and sport climbing, where temporary climbing walls were built in Saint Denis.

Global track and field competitions such as the Diamond League, the World Championships and the Olympics have traditionally held all events inside their track and field stadiums. Coe himself has advocated for that kind of exposure.

Still, in recent years — as the ease of streaming live sporting events over-the-top to subscribers has become more accessible — adjustments have been made to the presentation of track and field events.

The Pole Vault Summit, held annually in Reno, Nevada, is an attraction which features some of the world’s best vaulters every January. Other more modern pole vault events have played host in city streets, high school stadiums and arenas. The SPIRE Institute and Academy, meanwhile, orchestrates a National Throwing Event at its facility in Ohio every June.

How Previous Examples Could Shape World Athletics’ Decision For LA28

Coe and Olympic organizers will have some examples to work with. That being said, field events are the most likely at risk to be moved.

Incoming professional track leagues like Grand Slam Track and Athlos have cut field events all together from their packages.

That line of thinking, however, doesn’t necessarily match up with fans’ experiences.

In Paris, the 80,000-seat Stade de France played host to an incredible men’s pole vault competition which saw Mondo Duplantis re-set his own world record. Days later, the stadium witnessed wild moments from the men’s high jump, which featured a jump-off between the U.S.’s Shelby McEwen and Hamish Kerr. Each event captivated the stadium.

Coe has strayed away from making major changes to track and field in more recent yeras, but he admitted on Monday that he’s open to ideas from LA organizers.

“I like the idea because it takes our sport to where people are, and you know, we should be brave,” Coe told reporters.