Los Angeles 2028 Olympics to Make History With More Female Than Male Athletes

The 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles are poised to make history by becoming the first Games to feature more female athletes than male athletes. This landmark achievement, announced Wednesday by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), marks a significant step forward in the pursuit of gender equality in sports. The shift is highlighted by an expanded women's soccer field and increased opportunities for women in other sports, signaling a new era for the Olympic movement.

Historic Gender Milestone

The IOC's decision reflects a broader commitment to gender equality that has been gaining momentum in recent Olympic cycles. For the core Olympic sports, the athlete quota breaks down to 5,333 female athletes and 5,167 male athletes. When including the additional sports proposed by the LA28 Organizing Committee, the total number of athletes rises to 11,198, with 5,655 women and 5,543 men. This means that women will account for approximately 50.5% of all athletes competing in the Games.

Women's Soccer Takes Center Stage

One of the most significant changes contributing to this shift is the expansion of the women's soccer tournament. For the first time, the women's competition will feature 16 teams, while the men's tournament will be reduced to 12 teams. This decision acknowledges the growing popularity and competitiveness of women's soccer globally. The women's Olympic soccer event offers a star-studded and premier global competition when compared to the men's event, which is restricted to under-23 players with an allowance for only three over-age professional players.

Equality Across Sports

Beyond soccer, the LA28 Olympics will see increased gender balance in other sports as well. In water polo, two more women's teams will be added, bringing the total to 12, matching the number of men's teams. Boxing will also achieve gender parity in the number of events, with the addition of one more women's weight class, resulting in seven events for both men and women. These changes ensure that all team sports will have at least the same number of women's teams as men's teams.

New Mixed Gender Events

The 2028 program will include new mixed team medal opportunities in artistic gymnastics, track and field, golf, archery, table tennis and coastal rowing to create a record number of medal events. After a mixed-gender 1,600-meter relay debuted during the 2020 Olympics, the track and field program in 2028 will include a 400-meter mixed-gender relay. The competition program will feature 351 medal events, which is 22 more than were held at Paris 2024. Six mixed gender events have been added, making the overall breakdown 161 women's events, 165 men's events, and 25 mixed events.

A Lasting Legacy

The Los Angeles 2028 Olympics are not only set to be a celebration of athletic achievement but also a milestone in the ongoing journey toward gender equality in sports. By ensuring greater representation for female athletes and promoting inclusivity across various sports, the Games aim to inspire future generations and leave a lasting legacy of progress and empowerment. The IOC has emphasized gender equality in recent Olympic cycles by including more female athletes, medal events in women's sports and mixed-gender team events.