Track and field first started in Greece over 2,500 years ago. The first and only track event was a 180 meter footrace. The founders of Olympiad had one simple idea, to bring friendly relations to competing nations. During the Olympics, the track was where people were either brought together or torn apart.

In past Olympics and still today, winners of the 100 meter dash are considered the fastest in the world. Much like the 100 meter, the person who wins the marathon is considered the strongest or the most enduring in the world.

In the 1930, at the Berlin Olympics, Hitler was just beginning his dominating rule. Since Hitler was highly racist, he refused to recognize Jesse Owens, a black, American sprinter. There were also ten other black men, all American competing in that year's Olympics. Altogether, they took home thirteen medals. Even the Germans in the stands, who were told not to recognize or applaud anyone other than their own German team, gave the Americans a standing ovation. Jesse Owens was especially recognized, because he took home five of those medals.

In all Olympics, track has been one of the most favored. Track and field takes speed, skill, and determination. In marathons, some people will not finish because of the endurance needed to finish. In the sprints, many competitors fall behind because it take so much speed. In the jumps, some people will hit the bar or get disqualified for hitting the sand too soon. All the events in track and field are different from one another. One thing that they all have in common is that they all take skill.

Track and Field have been around many years, but each year the best always come through. Americans are very experienced on the track. Some great legends are Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Gail Devers, Florence Griffith- Joyner, Babe Didrickson, Marion Jones, Maurice Green, Lauren Williams, Jim Thorpe, and so many others.

Home

Events

Famous Runners