Who was the fastest runner in history?!
Question: Even though world record holder Asafa Powell won’t compete in the 100m at the World Athletics Championships in Helsinki, the ‘blue-ribband’ event – which will crown the ‘fastest man in the world’ - still looks set to capture the headlines.
But the accolade is misleading, according to EIS Director of Science and Research Professor Greg Whyte, who says that men who run twice the distance have a more accurate claim to the title.
“The fastest man on the planet does not compete in the 100m but is in fact a 200m runner,” explains Whyte. “Why? Well, in both events the athlete starts from a stationary position and there is a requirement to accelerate to maximum velocity.
“Achieving this maximum velocity will take athletes in both events approximately 35-40 metres and the 200m by the nature of the distance will spend longer at peak velocity than the 100m runner.
“Therefore the average running velocity is higher in a 200m runner as they will run for approximately 160m at peak velocity compared to a 100m runner who will run for only around 60m at the same rate.”
For those still unconvinced, a cursory glance at the record books reveals a simple truth; Michael Johnson’s 200m world record of 19.32 - which he set in 1996 and which has yet to be beaten - equates to 9.66 for each 100 metres, significantly quicker than Asafa Powell’s 100m world record of 9.77 set in early 2005.
Answers: Even though world record holder Asafa Powell won’t compete in the 100m at the World Athletics Championships in Helsinki, the ‘blue-ribband’ event – which will crown the ‘fastest man in the world’ - still looks set to capture the headlines.
But the accolade is misleading, according to EIS Director of Science and Research Professor Greg Whyte, who says that men who run twice the distance have a more accurate claim to the title.
“The fastest man on the planet does not compete in the 100m but is in fact a 200m runner,” explains Whyte. “Why? Well, in both events the athlete starts from a stationary position and there is a requirement to accelerate to maximum velocity.
“Achieving this maximum velocity will take athletes in both events approximately 35-40 metres and the 200m by the nature of the distance will spend longer at peak velocity than the 100m runner.
“Therefore the average running velocity is higher in a 200m runner as they will run for approximately 160m at peak velocity compared to a 100m runner who will run for only around 60m at the same rate.”
For those still unconvinced, a cursory glance at the record books reveals a simple truth; Michael Johnson’s 200m world record of 19.32 - which he set in 1996 and which has yet to be beaten - equates to 9.66 for each 100 metres, significantly quicker than Asafa Powell’s 100m world record of 9.77 set in early 2005.
Ben Johnson.
Though there was that guy who had a date with Germaine Greer in 1969 and introduced her at a party as his 'bird'?
Adam cos he came 1st in the human race
The road runner....... look at it go neep neep x
Forest Gump
the first person who answered was racist. will get reported.
the guy who got his tie caught in the doors of the euro-star.
Ben Johnson,,,,