100 metres – Interesting and Fun Facts

The 100 meter run is the classic sprint run, the shortest in an open stadium.

Record holders are called the fastest people in the world.

100 metres interesting facts

1. The 100-meter run derives from the 100-yard (91.44 m) race, once a very popular sport in English-speaking countries.

2. Before the starting blocks were invented (in 1929), competitors dug holes where they placed their feet.

3. The first competitor to use the starting blocks was disqualified for cheating.

4. Men’s 100 meter run has been an Olympic sport since 1896. The first gold medalist was Thomas Burke from the United States (12 seconds).

5. The first recorded world record recorded by manual timing was set on July 6, 1912. Donald Lippincott ran 100 meters in 10.6 seconds.

6. The sprinter reaches its maximum speed at 50-60 meters.

7. The men’s world record from August 16, 2009 belongs to Jamaican Usain Bolt (9.58 seconds).

8. The world record for women from July 16, 1988 belongs to the American Florence Griffith-Joyner (10.49 s).

9. On June 13, 2014, Trayvon Bromell from the United States was the only junior in history to score under 10 seconds (9.97).

10. The top 10 fastest men in history include 5 Jamaicans and 4 Americans.

11. The Polish record in the men’s 100-meter race was set on June 9, 1984 by Marian Woronin (10.00 seconds).

12. The Polish record in the women’s 100 meter race was set on June 27, 1986 by Ewa Kasprzyk (10.93 seconds).

13. The country with the highest number of Olympic gold medals in the history of 100 meters is the United States. Men won 16 times and women 9 times (data from 2020).

14. Since 2010, any false start will result in disqualification.

15. The height of the terrain affects the ease of breaking records. The higher it is, the more diluted air has less resistance. Records set at an altitude of more than 1000 m are marked with the letter “A”.

16. In 2011, Justin Gatlin appeared in the Japanese TV show “Kasupe!”, In which he ran 100 meters in 9.45 seconds. He was assisted by machines generating a backwind blowing at a speed of 25 m / s.

17. On June 8, 2019, Kai Sapp from the United States, at 5 years and 355 days, covered 100 meters in 15.93 seconds.

18. On July 10, 1998, Darrel Brown, at the age of 13 and 272 meters, had a score of under 11 seconds (10.82).

19. The competitor who finished the race the most times with the time under 10 seconds is Asafa Powell – 97 times.

Added: Mati

100 metres questions and answers

What is the starting block?

It is a device used to fix the feet at the start of the run. They allow the sprinter to take the appropriate starting position, reducing the load on the muscles. Thanks to the starting blocks, there is a stronger start, which allows you to get higher speeds.

Answer: Mati

What is the surface on which sprint cyclists run?

Competitors run on a surface made of polyurethane material called tartan.

Answer: Mati

What is a false start?

In short, it is a premature start of a run by a runner. Currently a false start is considered to be a reaction earlier than 0.1 seconds after the starter signal.

Answer: Mati

How is a false start caught?

Thanks to the starting blocks, you can accurately measure the time between the shot and the pressure with the foot of the sensor.

Answer: Mati

When two contestants hit the finish line simultaneously, which part of the body is measured?

The winner is the competitor whose torso (without limbs and head) first crosses the finish line.

Answer: Mati

At what wind speed are the world records not counted?

With tail winds exceeding 2.0 m / s.

Answer: Mati