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Sprinting at the Olympics

The 100m, 200m and 400m for both men and women are the three short distance races that are contested as part of the track and field events during the Olympics.



100m event

The 100m sprint is currently the most anticipated and the highest viewed event in the Olympics. The men's event has been a part of the games since the first 1896 and the women's event was added in 1928. Historically the Americans have dominated the event, but of late the Jamaicans have a strong hold on the event winning the men's and women's races in the last three Olympics (2008-2016).

Usain Bolt of Jamaica; who holds the current Olympic record at 9.63 seconds and Carl Lewis of the United States are the two most notable athletes for the event. Bolt won the gold three times straight (2008-2016). The current women's Olympic record is 10.62 seconds set by Florence Griffith-Joyner of the United States in 1988 Seoul Games.

The event also has it fair share of controversies where athletes like Ben Johnson and Marion Jones were tested positive for doping.

sprinter Sprint start

200m event

The men's event 200m was added in 1900 and the women's event was added in 1948. Usain Bolt is again the most dominant performer in the men's event winning the last three Olympic gold medals from 2008 to 2016, and currently also holds the world record at 19.30 seconds. The women's Olympic record of 21.34 seconds was set by Florence Griffith-Joyner of the United States in 1988 which is also the current world record.

400m event

The men's 400m event has been part of the games since the first Olympics in 1896 and the women's event was added in 1968. Michael Johnson of the United Stated is the most notable athlete for the event who won the gold medal twice and still holds the Olympic record of 43.49 seconds set in 1996 Atlanta Games.

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