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Last Updated: Wednesday, 7 July, 2004, 11:45 GMT 12:45 UK

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100m Olympics timeline

1896

Burke wins first Olympic 100m gold medal
It was not the most scintillating start to Olympic 100m history. The event was deemed fairly lowcalibre with many of the world's top athletes staying away from the Greek event. Tom Burke noted for his crouch start as used by all sprinters now but not in common use at the first modern Olympics took the top prize. B B BWinning time B 12 seconds.

1924

Abrahams is the first winner from outside the USA
The Harold Abrahams story became the stuff of legend after it featured in the 1981 film Chariots of Fire. He had represented Great Britain in 1920 but fell well short of his rivals and became the first British amateur athlete to pay for a personal trainer a controversial move that paid off in style. BWinning time B 10.6 seconds

1936

Owens defiesHitler and dominates Berlin
The 1936 Games will forever be known as Jesse Owens' Olympics. Adolf Hitler saw the Berlin Olympics as the perfect showcase for his political beliefs including those on Aryan superiority. But Owens had other ideas and left the Fuhrer redfaced as he took gold in the 100m 200m long jump and sprint relay. B B BWinning time B 10.3 seconds

1980

Wells steals glory at the Moscow Games
The USA Japan and West Germany boycotted the Moscow Olympics a decision that paved the way for Allan Wells to win gold. He edged out Cuba's Silvio Leonard and at 28 became the oldest ever champion. Two weeks later he proved his ability against America's best beating Stanley Floyd and Mel Lattany and his detractors. BWinning time B 10.25 seconds

1984

Lewis takesgold by biggest ever margin
The 1984 event was notable for two major achievements. Firstly the ease with which Carl Lewis in his first Olympics took gold in Los Angeles winning by a staggering eight feet. Secondly it saw Lewis become a global superstar ending the Games with four gold medals matching his hero Jesse Owens. BWinning time B 9.99 seconds

1988

Johnson winsgold and failsdrugs test
The Ben Johnson case was arguably the most controversial in Olympic history following what had been one of the greatest races ever. Johnson and Carl Lewis lined up in a muchanticipated headtohead and the Canadian raced to victory in a world record time of 9.79 seconds. Days later he was stripped of gold after failing a drugs test. BWinning time B 9.92 seconds

1992

Christie wins Britains third 100m gold
Prior to 1992 Great Britain had only ever boasted two Olympic 100m champions Harold Abrahams and Allan Wells. Christie arrived in Barcelona among the favourites but had yet to run under 10 seconds that year. He had though saved his best for last in the final when he edged out his rivals for victory. BWinning time B 9.96 seconds

1996

Christie cracks while Bailey breaks record
The Atlanta final was dramatic from first to last. Three times the field failed to go on the gun and following his two false starts defending champion Ldetrd Christie was disqualified. Canada's Donovan Bailey brushed off the brouhaha and blitzed the field with a new world record. BWinning time B 9.84 seconds

2000

Greene restores USA grasp on the 100m
Maurice Greene as world champion and the worldrecord holder arrived in Sydney as the overwhelming favourite to take gold and lived up to that billing as he coasted through the rounds. His dominance continued in the final when he held off the muchfancied Ato Boldon and Obadele Thompson. BWinning time B 9.87 seconds

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