Running for Immortality
Although no Ivy League athlete will be participating in the 200 meter Men’s final, it has become the defining race of the Olympics. Traditionalists will state that the 100 meter will always be the race of pure speed, and although true, it is not the race of the fastest human being. It is the race of the quickest. And since 1996 the 100m record has been tied or broken (legally) on eight occasions. Most recently, Jamaica’s Usain Bolt rewrote the mark at 9.69 earlier in the Olympics.
But the test of the fastest human being stretches over a slightly larger distance. This is why the argument is out for the 200m as the new (and true) measure of speed. It combines quickness and stamina, speed and strength, strategy and (perhaps) a bit of luck. This is why not only has the record not been broken since Michael Johnson ran to Olympic glory 1996, it has not even been remotely in danger. Johnson’s mark is a full 0.3 seconds faster than any other human has run the race.
So it is our duty as fans to honor that moment. Michael Johnson’s perfect race. A lifetime of sport immortalized in 19.32 world-record breaking seconds. Enjoy it all over again.
Will Jamaica’s Usain Bolt rewrite it? Immortality awaits.
And just for fun – because international crews have no problem conveying excitement.
And why not – the actual telecast that came into U.S. homes that day. “He destroys his own record!”
