The Paris 2024 Olympic Games, set to begin on July 26th, will feature a total of 329 events, showcasing the diversity and excitement that have made the Olympics one of the greatest sporting spectacles in the world. Within this diverse array of events, Track and Field stands out as a perennial source of thrilling competition and iconic moments.
Over the last century, Track and Field has been graced by legendary athletes who have pushed the boundaries of human performance. From Paavo Nurmi to Usain Bolt, these individuals have left their mark on the sport, inspiring generations of athletes and captivating audiences worldwide. This article delves into the history of Olympic Track and Field records, celebrating the achievements of these remarkable athletes.
Men’s 100 meters:
The men’s 100 meters is arguably the most celebrated event in Track and Field, a sprint that epitomizes speed and power. The Olympic record is held by Usain Bolt, the undisputed king of sprinting, with a time of 9.63 seconds, achieved at the London 2012 Summer Olympics. Bolt also holds the world record in this event, clocking in at 9.58 seconds at the 2009 World Athletics Championships in Berlin.
Women’s 100 meters:
Elaine Thompson-Herah of Jamaica holds the Olympic record for the women’s 100 meters, with a time of 10.61 seconds set at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics. The world record, however, belongs to Florence Griffith Joyner of the USA, who achieved a phenomenal 10.49 seconds at the 1988 U.S. Olympic Trials in Indianapolis.
Men’s 200 meters:
Usain Bolt’s dominance extends to the men’s 200 meters as well, where he holds both the Olympic and world records. His Olympic record stands at 19.30 seconds, set at the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics, while his world record is 19.19 seconds, achieved at the 2009 World Athletics Championships in Berlin.
Women’s 200 meters:
Florence Griffith Joyner’s brilliance in the 200 meters is unmatched, as she holds both the Olympic and world records with a time of 21.34 seconds. She set this incredible mark at the Seoul 1988 Summer Olympics.
Men’s 400 meters:
Wayde van Niekerk of South Africa owns both the Olympic and world records in the men’s 400 meters, having clocked an astonishing 43.03 seconds at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics.
Women’s 400 meters:
The women’s 400 meters Olympic record is held by Marie-José Perec of France, who ran a time of 48.25 seconds at the Atlanta 1996 Summer Olympics. However, the world record belongs to Marita Koch of East Germany, who achieved a time of 47.60 seconds at the 1985 IAAF World Cup in Australia.
Men’s 800 meters:
David Rudisha of Kenya etched his name in Olympic history by setting the Olympic and world records in the men’s 800 meters. His record-breaking time of 1:40.91 was achieved at the London 2012 Summer Olympics.
Women’s 800 meters:
Nadezhda Olizarenko of the USSR holds the Olympic record in the women’s 800 meters with a time of 1:53.43, set at the Moscow 1980 Summer Olympics. The world record, however, is held by Jarmila Kratochvílová of Czechoslovakia, who clocked a time of 1:53.28 at the 1983 World Championships in Athletics in Helsinki.
Men’s 1500 meters:
Jakob Ingebrigtsen of Norway holds the Olympic record in the men’s 1500 meters, having set a time of 3:28.32 at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics. The world record belongs to Hicham El Guerrouj of Morocco, who ran a remarkable 3:26.00 at the 1998 European Athletics Championships in Rome.
Women’s 1500 meters:
Faith Kipyegon of Kenya holds both the Olympic and world records in the women’s 1500 meters. She set a new Olympic record of 3:53.11 at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics and broke the world record with a time of 3:49.04 at the 2024 Paris Diamond League.
Men’s 10,000 meters:
Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia holds the Olympic record in the men’s 10,000 meters with a time of 12:57.82, achieved at the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics. The world record is held by Joshua Cheptegei of Uganda, who clocked an incredible 12:35.36 at the 2020 Diamond League in Monaco.
Women’s 10,000 meters:
Vivian Cheruiyot of Kenya holds the Olympic record in the women’s 10,000 meters with a time of 14:26.17, achieved at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics. Gudaf Tsegay of Ethiopia holds the world record with a time of 14:00.21, set at the 2023 Prefontaine Classic in Oregon.
Men’s Marathon:
Samuel Kamaru Wanjiru of Kenya holds the Olympic record in the men’s marathon, with a time of 2:06:32 set at the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics. The world record belongs to Kelvin Kiptum of Kenya, who ran an astonishing 2:00:35 at the 2023 Chicago Marathon.
Women’s Marathon:
Tiki Gelana of Ethiopia holds the Olympic record in the women’s marathon, with a time of 2:23:07 achieved at the London 2012 Summer Olympics. The world record is held by Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia, who ran a remarkable 2:11:53 at the 2023 Berlin Marathon.
Men’s 20km Race Walk:
Ding Chen of China holds the Olympic record in the men’s 20km race walk with a time of 1:18:46, achieved at the London 2012 Summer Olympics. The world record belongs to Yusuke Suzuki of Japan, who clocked a time of 1:16:36 at the 2015 Nomi Asian Race Walking Championships.
Women’s 20km Race Walk:
Shijie Qieyang of China holds the Olympic record in the women’s 20km race walk, having achieved a time of 1:25:16 at the London 2012 Summer Olympics. The world record is held by Jiayu Yang of China, who ran a time of 1:23:49 at the 2021 Chinese Race Walking Championships in Huangshan.
Men’s Decathlon:
Damian Warner of Canada holds the Olympic record in the men’s decathlon, having achieved a score of 9018 at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics. The world record belongs to Kevin Mayer of France, who scored 9126 at the 2023 Talence Décastar in Paris.
Women’s Heptathlon:
Jackie Joyner-Kersee of the USA holds both the Olympic and world records in the women’s heptathlon, achieving a score of 7291 at the Seoul 1988 Summer Olympics.
Men’s 4x100m Relay:
Jamaica holds the Olympic record in the men’s 4x100m relay, with a time of 36.84 seconds achieved at the London 2012 Summer Olympics.
Women’s 4x100m Relay:
The United States of America holds the Olympic record in the women’s 4x100m relay, having clocked a time of 40.82 seconds at the London 2012 Summer Olympics.
Men’s 4x400m Relay:
The United States of America holds the Olympic record in the men’s 4x400m relay, with a time of 2:55.39 achieved at the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics. The world record, however, belongs to the USA as well, with a time of 2:54.29 set in Stuttgart in 1993.
Women’s 4x400m Relay:
The USSR holds the Olympic record in the women’s 4x400m relay, having achieved a time of 3:15.17 at the Seoul 1988 Summer Olympics. The world record belongs to the USA, with a time of 3:08.80 set at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest.
These are just a few of the many remarkable Olympic Track and Field records that have been set over the years. From the blazing speed of the sprinters to the endurance of the long-distance runners, these athletes have pushed the limits of human potential and continue to inspire generations of athletes.
