The sprinter’s strategy whe crouched in the starting block is not just about getting out first but quickly reaching and maintaining maximum speed. Years of training comes down to a race of less than 10 seconds to proclaim the world’s fastest human.
Out of the blocks
STARTING BLOCK
Ensures the sprinter’s quick start by resisting the leg pushing off the block to launching himself forward.
REACTION TIME
When the starting gun sounds, the earliest stage of the race takes place inside the runner’s body–the time it takes the brain to react and stimulate the muscles to move.
BODY POSITION
The ideal starting position consists of precise angles that maximize the runner’s reaction time and upward-forward motion.
THE DRIVE
The sprinter drives his legs into the starting blocks and alternates an upward swinging motion of his arms.
The body starts in a low forward-lean position and gradually straightens. Each step lengthens and quickens so the sprinter can put distance between himself and the competitors.
Inside the track
The hardness of the track’s surface determines how “fast” it is. An ideal track has some give.
Granules of synthetic rubber are glued together by polyurethane.
A layer of color granules give the track its familiar hue.
Stages of acceleration
AND DRIVE
The sprinter focuses on responding to the starting gun and positioning the body for acceleration.
ACCELERATION
Each step gets increasingly larger as the body’s forward lean gradually becomes upright.
INCREASING SPEED
The stride frequency and length increases while the hips straighten.
MAXIMUM SPEED
Most sprinters reach maximum speed–11 meters per second–between 40-
70 meters. This speedis hard for most athletes to maintain.
SPEED MAINTENANCE
To minimize slowing down, the sprinter relaxes his limbs to prevent his muscles from tightening. This helps maintain perfect running form during the final 40 meters.
Photo-finish
A camera takes pictures of the finish line 2,000 times a second and records each runner’s time. A composite image helps judges break possible ties.
— Swatch
Progressively faster
Each Olympics has seen stronger and faster athletes, who have shaved a second off the record time in the last 70 years.
Winning time in seconds
Jesse Owens, U.S. 1936: 10.3*
Carl Lewis, U.S. 1984: 9.99
Donovan Bailey, Canada 1996: 9.84
Athletes to watch
– Shawn Crawford
United States
Won the 2001 world indoor title; third in 2004 Olympic trials.
– Francis Obikwelu
Portugal
Represented Nigeria in Sydney but now running for Portugal.
– Maurice Greene
United States
2000 gold medalist by the largest winning margin since 1984.
2000 results
Men’s 100 meters
G: Maurice Greene, United States
S: Ato Boldon, Trinidad & Tobago
B: Obadele Thompson, Barbados
All-time medal standings
%%
Competition began in 1900
United States 34
Britain 8
Canada 5
Jamaica 4
Sources: Athens 2004 Organizing Committee; U.S. Olympic Committee; CONICA Technik; International Olympic Committee; Ken Grace, coach of Chabot College %%
