100 metres
The blue-ribbon sprint event measuring the world's fastest humans.
- first man under 10 seconds (automatic ti
- Jim Hines, 1968 Summer Olympics
- current men's Olympic champion
- Noah Lyles
- current women's Olympic champion
- Julien Alfred
Lore & Background
Runners receive three instructions: 'on your marks', 'set', and the starter's pistol. They move to starting blocks on the first command, adopt a preload posture on 'set', and then sprint forward. Sprinters typically reach top speed between 50 and 60 metres, then slow towards the finish. The winner is determined by the first athlete's torso crossing the nearer edge of the finish line; a photo finish is used when placing is unclear.
Reader's Guide
The 10-second barrier has historically been a barometer for men's performances, while women aim for eleven seconds or less. False-start rules have evolved: since 2010, any false start results in immediate disqualification. The men's world record of 9.58 s by Usain Bolt and the women's record of 10.49 s by Florence Griffith Joyner are the current benchmarks, though Griffith Joyner's record has been questioned due to wind gauge readings inconsistent with conditions that day.
Did You Know?
- Usain Bolt was disqualified under the immediate-disqualification rule at the 2011 World Championships.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 100 metres in athletics?
It is the shortest flat sprint on the track-and-field program, covering exactly 100 meters from the blocks to the finish line. It is universally regarded as the purest test of raw human speed.
Who was the first man to break 10 seconds in the 100 metres?
Jim Hines became the first male sprinter to cross the ten-second threshold, achieving the feat at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City.
Who is the current men's Olympic 100 metres champion?
Noah Lyles holds the men's Olympic title in the 100 metres.
Who is the current women's Olympic 100 metres champion?
Julien Alfred is the reigning women's Olympic champion in the 100 metres.
Why is the 100 metres considered the premier sprint event?
Because it isolates acceleration and top-end speed over the shortest possible distance, it serves as the definitive benchmark for identifying the world's fastest athletes. That is why it carries the most prestige and attention at every major championship.
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