As with football’s playing field, 100 has the advantage of being a nice round number, and, in track and field’s case, also being the shortest distance for Olympic races. It’s the sprint race used to bestow the title of “world’s fastest human.” It seems safe to say, therefore, that while Jamaica’s Usain Bolt owns the world records at both 100 meters and 200 meters, the record that attracts greater attention is that in the 100.
There’s no doubt that longer races provide interesting strategic story lines that an all-out, pedal-to-the-metal sprint can’t. But there’s always a public fascination with pure speed, and 100 meters is short enough, but not too short, to capture speed in all its raw power.
The distance obviously puts a premium on a fast start, yet 100 meters is long enough so the die is not cast at the starter’s gun. The complexion of the races changes as runners hit full stride: Some fade; others surge. Studies show that top speed is usually achieved between 50 and 60 meters into the race, and then it’s a matter of trying not to slow down. At the end, it’s not surprising to see several runners leaning into the tape in a photo finish.
