The 100 metres final has traditionally been considered the supreme athletic event, a race representing speed, power, and absolute strength. Being termed “the fastest race on land”, 100m has a rich heritage captured within the Olympics and the world finals. The event—where in mere seconds, the fastest athletes in the world push the human limit of speed and captures the fancy of almost all sporting minds around the world. Delving with it is this article: the history, importance, preparation, and moments of the 100m final.
Historical Context of the 100m Final
The 100m sprint is one of the original events of the modern Olympic Games, dating from the very first ones in 1896. This race has been held to be one of the most looked forward to men’s track finals since then, whereas the women’s version was established at the 1928 games. This event has therefore always enjoyed heavy publicity, where athletes strive to gain the prestige of “world’s fastest man” or “world’s fastest woman.”
So much has changed about this 100m final in the past decades. Innovative ways of training and equipment and track improvement in running have certainly helped to post improved timing. It has also served as a platform to speak out socially and politically, as athletes use this to draw attention to various issues. One such example is the Black Power salute by Tommie Smith and John Carlos during the 1968 Olympics.
Mechanics of a 100m Sprint
In actual sense, the 100m sprint looks extremely simplistic, yet it is insanely complex. The race usually is divided into a number of key phases where each requires specific techniques and physical attributes. The phases are as follows:
The start: This can be called the most important part of a 100 meters race. Athletes work off the line with starting blocks, generating a powerful and explosive takeoff. It becomes extremely crucial to register a fast reaction time here, for a fraction of a second can mean either winning or losing.
Acceleration: Sprinters usually enter this phase of the race after an initial burst from the blocks. In this phase, an athlete starts with a crouch position and gradually increases in speed while rising the body to an upright manner of sprinting. This phase, just like any other phase, requires optimum biomechanics and technique to result in maximum efficiency.
Maximum Velocity: This phase is 30m to 70 m from the start. Sprinters in this block of the race are basically attempting to achieve and then hold onto maximum velocity. Proper form and technique prevent energy waste during a segment of maximum velocity.
Deceleration: There is always some deceleration in the end due to the high level of fatigue, but the aim will be, at least decelerated, to keep as much speed as possible through the finish.
Finish: The finish consists of a final lean or dip at the line to get leverage. The inches of this small action may sometimes be the difference in a closely run race.
Training for the 100m Final
The complexities behind training for the 100m final arise from the need to combine strength, speed, and technique all together. Sprinters undergo heavy training systems with diversified components:
Strength Training: It is very important for a sprinter to build explosive power. Squats, deadlifts, and power cleans are important in developing leg and core strength, which is important in the starting and acceleration phase.
Speed Work: This involves different kinds of drills that a sprinter does to increase speed. He will be required to do sprints over different distances. There are plyometric exercises and agility exercises done in this phase. The work done here focuses on increasing the maximum velocity and maintaining form while at maximum velocity.
Technical Training: Sprinting requires proper technique. Coaches can help sprinters perfect their starting mechanics, stride length, and running posture. Video analyses include ironing out such aspects.
Endurance and Conditioning: Sprinting for a distance of 100 m is a short race; however, the sprinters require good power in their cardiovascular system. Sprinters can be taken through interval training and longer sprints; this is when they build the stamina to hold onto top speed through the entire race.
Recovery and Nutrition: Recovery is key to a sprinter’s best performance. This includes rest, physiotherapy, and nutrition. The sprinter also needs a balanced diet that can cater to their need for protein, carbohydrate, and essential fats that will contribute to muscle recovery and energy levels.
Iconic Moments in 100m Final History
It is this final that has produced some of the career-defining moments in sporting history; etched in the collective memory of the lovers of athletics, some of the moments are legendary.
Jesse Owens (1936 Berlin Olympics): In the final of the 100-metre race at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, the African American athlete won the gold in front of Adolf Hitler, directly contradicting the Nazi idea of racial superiority.
Carl Lewis ruled the 100m final during the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, which set the stage for him to win gold and go on to have a wonderful career. Carrying that performance forward, Lewis in these games would win four golds, which would place him on top of the rankings as one of the greatest athletes of all time.
Florence Griffith-Joyner (1988 Seoul Olympics): Florence Griffith-Joyner, alias “Flo Jo,” set the world record at the 1988 Seoul Olympics in the 100m final with 10.49 seconds. Her performance remains the quickest time by a woman recorded to this day in the 100m sprint.
Usain Bolt (2008 Beijing Olympics): The win at the 100-meter final in the 2008 Beijing Olympics was not just a victory for Usain Bolt but history, too. He set a world record of 9.69 seconds and was celebrating before crossing the line. He has since improved that to 9.58 in the 2009 World Championships.
Elaine Thompson-Herah (2021 Tokyo Olympics): Elaine Thompson-Herah of Jamaica became the champion in the 100m final at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. This made her back-to-back champion from when she captured the same title in the 2016 Rio Olympics. Her time of 10.61 seconds made her the second-fastest woman in history.
The Psychology of Sprinting
The 100m final is a raca event that highly demands a not just skilled body but also great minds. It highly involves much mental strength and willpower for sprinters to wither the pressure and intensity of the race. Many athletes commonly use visualization, meditation, and mental rehearsal techniques to prepare themselves psychologically.
The ability to cow calmed ad planned during an Olympic final can make all the difference. Often, sprinters will practice coping strategies for such high stress and mental toughness under the guidance of a sports psychologist .
The Future of the 100m Final
The future of the 100m final looks very bright with the new found technology, innovations in training methods, and a new breed of athletes pushing toward the boundaries of human speed. Innovations like improved track surfaces, high-tech footwear, and biomechanical analysis are contributing to better and better times.
It’s really the next generation announcing itself: if not for the pandemic, the world probably would have been discussing Sha’Carri Richardson, Trayvon Bromell, and Dina Asher-Smith as being the new lights of this event. As the athletes continue to stretch their performances, breaking long-standing records starts becoming a reality.
Conclusion
The 100m final is one of the most thrilling and premier events in athletics today. The rich history, what it takes to participate, and the unforgettable moments, bind it to the very heart of the Olympic Games and other major competitions. Yet, out towards the future, the 100m final still is an exciting event that encourages the majority of young sprinters to move and have a go at the global stage. Whether it is the sheer burst at the beginning, the forceful acceleration in the middle, or the final dash at the close, the 100m final is a metaphor for mankind’s potential in athleticism and the effort to be a better being on an everyday basis.