|
Sprints are races in athletics. They are roughly classified as events in which top runners will not have to "pace themselves", but can run as fast as possible for the entire distance. These are often the more glamorous events in Olympic Athletics. Athletics, also known as track and field or track and field athletics, is a collection of sport events. ...
Athletics has been contested at every Summer Olympics since the birth of the modern Olympic movement at the 1896 Summer Olympics. ...
Common distances
60 m - The 60 metres is normally run indoors, on a section inside an indoor athletic track (which is only 200 m long). As the races last between six and seven seconds, having good reflexes and thus getting off to a quick start is more vital in this race than any other.
- This is roughly the distance required for a human to reach maximum speed and can be run without breathing. It is popular for training and testing in other sports (e.g. speed testing for American football, although 40 yards is more common there).
60 metres is a sprint event in athletics. ...
United States simply as football, is a competitive team sport that is both fast-paced and strategic. ...
100 m - The 100 metres is the best-known sprint distance, and alongside the marathon it is arguably athletics' most prestigious event. It takes place on one length of the home straight of a standard outdoor 400 m track. Often, the world-record holder in this race is considered "the world's fastest man/woman".
- This race distance would be hugely different indoors, as the need to go round a tight bend would slow runners down significantly. Either way, it could be run without breathing.
- The 4 by 100 m relay is another prestigious event, with an average speed that is quicker than the 100 m, as the runners can start moving before they receive the baton.
- World Record progression 100 m men
100 m is the classic sprints race distance. ...
Although marathon sometimes refers to any athletic event requiring great endurance, more specifically it refers to a long-distance road running event of 42,195 m (26 miles and 385 yards). ...
World Record Progression 100 m Men (1912-2005) with a logarithmic regression estimating: Time/100m = -0. ...
200 m - This begins on the curve of a standard track (where the runners are staggered in their starting position, to ensure they all run the same distance), and ends on the homestraight. The ability to "run a good bend" is key at this distance, as a well conditioned runner will be able to run 200 m in an average speed lower than his 100 m speed.
- This race is run indoors, as one lap of the track, with only slightly slower times than outdoors.
- Four-person relays are occasionally run at this event.
- A slightly shorter race (but run on a straight track) was the first recorded event at the Ancient Olympics.
Ruins of the training grounds at Olympia The Ancient Olympic Games were an athletic and religious celebration held in the Greek town of Olympia from (historically) as early as 776 BC to 393. ...
400 m - 400 m is exactly once around the track on the inside lane, but of course the runners are staggered in their starting position. While this event is a sprint, there is more scope to use tactics in a race - the fact that 400 m times are considerably more than four times 100 m times demonstrate this.
- Relays are commonly held at this event.
Uncommon distances
150 m - This informal distance can be used to work on a 100 m runner's stamina, or a 200 m runner's speed, and has been used as an exhibition distance. The last famous duel was held between 1996 Olympic Champions Donovan Bailey (Canada) and Michael Johnson (USA).
Donovan Bailey with one of his Olympic gold medals. ...
Michael Johnson at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. ...
300 m - Another informal distance, which could be used to aid a 200 m runner's stamina, or a 400 m runner's speed.
500 m - More common (or less uncommon) than 300 m and 150 m, because this can be seen as the half-kilometre. This obviously could aid 400 m runners' in their stamina, or help a middle-distance runner to gain speed.
Sprinters
Versatile Athletes Most athletes will not be able to compete exclusively in one sprint event. Reasons for this could be pragmatic: only being willing to race over one distance might not earn an athlete enough prize money (or media exposure, which can lead to more money) to survive on. Where this doesn't apply, such as for more high-profile (i.e. rich) runners, an athlete may feel that running over two events is more enjoyable and varied, and gives them a better chance of success.
The indoor season is often not run by certain high-profile athletes, who may like the atmosphere, different distances or extra corners involved. Again, some will have to run in the season to earn themselves enough money.
While certain athletes will be 100 metre runners, and will run further distances for fun or money, many will be hugely competent over multiple events. Namibian Frankie Fredericks has been successful over 100 m and 200 m (and may run the 60 m and/or 200 m in the indoor season). Michael Johnson won gold medals over 200 m and 400 m in the 1996 Olympics, and also in the 4 x 400 m relay. Runners rarely have problems running relays when they are competitive in the individual event. [[Image:[[Media: --61. ...
There have been several well-known people named Michael Johnson, including: Michael Johnson (athlete) Michael Johnson (politician) Michael Johnson (singer) Michael Johnson (Montana) Michael Johnson (North Bendian) This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...
(Redirected from 1996 Olympics) Categories: 1996 Summer Olympics ...
Hurdlers Sometimes 100 m and 400 m runners will have competed in their hurdles events at the same distance, and there is an amount of interchangeability about the flat and hurdle events, although it is difficult to be a world class performer in both events. Sometimes runners will start off as a hurdler, but catalysed by an event such as injury, will switch to flat races. It is more common for hurdlers to go to the flat than for runners to start hurdling.
Often a 400 m hurdler will be able to run the 4 x 400 m relay, Chris Rawlinson of Great Britain being a good example. This is possibly partly because the hurdles and the relay involve a less "controlled" environment, containing obstacles such as opposing teams jostling for position (after 600m of the relay, the runners break lanes, and are allowed to take the inside lane), or physical obstacles - the 91 cm/76 cm (men's/women's) hurdles. Chris Rawlinson (born: May 19, 1972 in Rotherham, England) is an all-round athlete who has made his name as a 400 m hurdler. ...
Biological factors for runners Some biological factors that can determine a sprinter's potential are: A top-down view of skeletal muscle Muscle is a contractile form of tissue. ...
Epinephrine (INN) or adrenaline (BAN) is a hormone and a neurotransmitter. ...
Anaerobic respiration refers to the oxidation of molecules in the absence of oxygen to produce energy. ...
Other sports - The most common distance for rowing races is 2 kilometres. Races may be held at less than 1km, which are known as sprints.
- Horse Racing has sprint distance events.
- Track cycling features a sprint event, in which usually two riders compete over a distance of 1000 metres, though only the final 200m may be timed. However, the time is normally immaterial - the aim is to be first across the line and win two races in a 'best of three races' match.
Rowing refers to several forms of physical activity: For rowing boats in general, see Watercraft rowing. ...
Horse-racing is an equestrian sporting activity which has been practiced over the centuries; the chariot races of Roman times were an early example, as was the contest of the steeds of the god Odin and the giant Hrungnir in Norse mythology. ...
Track cycling is a form of bicycle racing usually held on specially-built banked tracks or velodromes (but many events are held at older velodromes where the track banking is relatively shallow). ...
The sprint is a track cycling event involving a one-on-one match race between opponents who, unlike the individual pursuit, start next to each other. ...
See also |
Feeds |
Contact