100 metres at the Olympics
The 100 metres at the Summer Olympics has been contested since the first edition of the multi-sport event. The men's 100 metres has been present on the Olympic athletics programme since 1896. The 100 metres is considered one of the blue ribbon events of the Olympics and is among the highest profile competitions at the games. It is the most prestigious 100 metres race at an elite level and is the shortest sprinting competition at the Olympics – a position it has held at every edition except for a brief period between 1900 and 1904, when a men's 60 metres was contested.
The 2008 Olympic men's 100 metre final
Women competing in the first round of the 2012 Summer Olympics
The women's 100-metre medalists at the 2012 Summer Olympics
Runners in the men's 100-metre final at the 2012 Summer Olympics
The 100 metres, or 100-meter dash, is a sprint race in track and field competitions. The shortest common outdoor running distance, the 100-meter (109.36 yd) dash is one of the most popular and prestigious events in the sport of athletics. It has been contested at the Summer Olympics since 1896 for men and since 1928 for women. The inaugural World Championships were in 1983.
Start of the men's 100 metres final at the 2012 Olympic Games in London
Start (green) and end (red) points of a 100 metre race, marked on a running track
Male sprinters await the starter's instructions
Usain Bolt breaking the world and Olympic records at the 2008 Beijing Olympics
