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How hypothetical race pitting the eigth fastest men in the history of major championship races -namely Marcell Jacobs, Noah Lyles, Justin Gatlin, Usain Bolt, Kishane Thompson, Christian Coleman, Tyson Gay and Yohan Blake would go.
The 100-meter dash, often called the crown jewel of track and field, is the defining event of every Olympic Games and World Championship. It's where the fastest men on Earth converge for a few electrifying seconds to determine who is truly supreme.
While Usain Bolt's dominance has set an almost untouchable benchmark, the question of who ranks as the second-fastest man in history sparks heated debates.
Beyond Bolt: a debate for the ages
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Usain Bolt’s iconic 9.58-second run at the 2009 World Championships remains the pinnacle of sprinting, and his reign as the fastest man alive is unquestionable.
But what about the men who fall just behind him? To settle this debate, a hypothetical virtual race was created, featuring adjusted performances from history’s best sprinters under the same conditions.
As legendary basketball player Michael Jordan once said, "You cannot compare athletes from different eras." But in track and field, we can—thanks to the clock and the wind gauge. This analysis eliminates the era barrier, focusing solely on the numbers.
The ground rules
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For this ultimate race, only performances from Olympic and World Championship finals were considered. Athletes like Asafa Powell, Trayvon Bromell, Ferdinand Omanyala, and Nesta Carter, despite running sub-9.80 seconds, did not make the cut because they never achieved such times in major finals.
Each sprinter’s fastest race was converted using the Brian Mack Sports Coach Calculator to account for wind and altitude. For example, Usain Bolt's legendary 9.58-second run is adjusted to 9.63 seconds, still comfortably ahead of the rest.
The starting lineup
The field for this virtual race features eight legendary sprinters, ranked based on their adjusted championship performances:
Lane 9: Lamont Marcell Jacobs (9.80 seconds, 2021 Olympics)
Lane 8: Noah Lyles (9.79 seconds, 2024 Olympics)
Lane 7: Justin Gatlin (9.79 seconds, 2012 Olympics)
Lane 6: Yohan Blake (9.75 seconds, 2012 Olympics)
Lane 5: Tyson Gay (9.71 seconds, 2009 World Championships)
Lane 4: Usain Bolt (9.58 seconds, 2009 World Championships)
Lane 3: Christian Coleman (9.76 seconds, 2019 World Championships)
Lane 2: Kishane Thompson (9.79 seconds, 2024 Olympics)
The Hypothetical Race
Eighth Place: Justin Gatlin, clocking 9.86 seconds.
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Seventh & Sixth Place: Kishane Thompson, narrowly edged out by Noah Lyles who finishes sixth, with both finishing on 9.85 seconds.
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Fifth place: Yohan Blake, finishing with 9.83 seconds.
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Fourth Place: Lamont Marcell Jacobs, clocking 9.81 seconds.
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The medalists
A bronze medal in this field is a very big deal, so Christian Coleman claims the last Podium place with 9.79 seconds based off his dash at the 2019 World Championships in Doha..
Tyson Gay claims silver, running 9.76 seconds—a fitting recognition for a sprinter whose brilliance often went unrecognized in an era dominated by Bolt. Gay, despite being one of the most consistent performers, never secured an Olympic medal in the 100 meters.
Unsurprisingly, gold goes to Usain Bolt, whose adjusted 9.63-second performance is in a league of its own. His consistency across multiple championships—whether in Beijing, Berlin, or London—underscores his unparalleled greatness.
Parting shot
This ultimate 100-meter showdown is a testament to the incredible athleticism and mental toughness required to excel under the brightest lights. While Bolt’s legacy remains untouchable, this exercise sheds light on the extraordinary feats of other sprinting legends.
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