World Athletics has released the qualification framework for the athletics events at the upcoming Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, scheduled from July 15 to July 30, 2028. This system, ratified by the World Athletics Council, outlines the qualification windows, the total number of spots available for each discipline, and the entry standards, as detailed in a recent press announcement. The athletics program will feature 23 events for both men and women, along with two mixed events: the mixed 4x100m relay, which will debut at the Olympics, and the mixed 4x400m relay.

Qualification Pathways and Timelines

In line with recent global championships, the qualification process will follow a dual pathway approach. Unlike the previous 50/50 model, 40% of athletes are anticipated to qualify based on entry standards, while the remaining 60% will qualify through world rankings. If more athletes meet the entry standards than the available quota, only those with the best performances during the qualification period will secure a spot, meaning that meeting the entry standard does not guarantee qualification. In such cases, no athletes will qualify based on world rankings.

The qualification timeline for the marathon spans from November 1, 2026, to April 30, 2028. For events like the 10,000m, combined events, race walks, and relays, the window is from December 19, 2026, to June 18, 2028. All other events will have a qualification period from June 19, 2027, to June 18, 2028. Results from competitions that conclude within these qualification periods will be fully counted, and results from national senior outdoor championships starting within these periods will also be considered if achieved by June 22.

Entry Standards and Performance Metrics

The entry standards for men's and women's events are as follows: 100m - 9.93 seconds (men) and 10.96 seconds (women); 200m - 19.95 seconds (men) and 22.25 seconds (women); 400m - 44.40 seconds (men) and 49.90 seconds (women). In middle and long-distance events, the standards are: 800m - 1:43.00 (men) and 1:57.00 (women); 1500m - 3:30.00 (men) and 3:57.50 (women); 5000m - 12:50.00 (men) and 14:34.00 (women); 10,000m - 26:48.00 (men) and 30:30.00 (women). For hurdles, the standards are 13.18 seconds for men's 110m hurdles and 12.58 seconds for women's 100m hurdles, with 400m hurdles standards set at 48.00 seconds (men) and 54.00 seconds (women). In the 3000m steeplechase, the standards are 8:07.50 for men and 9:06.00 for women.

For field events, the standards are: high jump - 2.32m (men) and 1.97m (women); pole vault - 5.90m (men) and 4.80m (women); long jump - 8.30m (men) and 6.90m (women); triple jump - 17.35m (men) and 14.50m (women); shot put - 21.50m (men) and 19.30m (women); discus throw - 67.20m (men) and 65.00m (women); hammer throw - 78.50m (men) and 74.00m (women); javelin throw - 85.50m (men) and 63.80m (women). The decathlon and heptathlon standards are set at 8,650 points and 6,550 points, respectively, while marathon standards are 2:05:00 for men and 2:22:20 for women. The half marathon race walk qualification standard is designated as WRWTC for both genders.