A Century Of Olympic Records

The Evolution of Women's 100m Sprint World Records

A Century of Olympic Records

Women's sprinting has undergone a remarkable evolution over the past century. The first world record in the 100 meters sprint for women was recognized in 1922, a time that would pale in comparison to today's top athletes.

From Dawn to Dominance

In the early years, women's sprinting was dominated by athletes from Europe and North America. However, the late 20th century saw the emergence of sprinters from Jamaica and other Caribbean nations.

Jamaican sprinter Veronica Campbell-Brown became the first woman to win two consecutive Olympic 200m gold medals in 2004 and 2008. Her compatriot Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce became the first Jamaican woman to win the 100m gold medal at the Olympics in 2008, a feat she repeated in 2012 and 2016.

Pushing Boundaries

The women's 100m world record has been broken numerous times over the years, with American sprinter Florence Griffith-Joyner setting the current mark of 10.49 seconds in 1988. Griffith-Joyner's record has stood for over three decades, a testament to her unmatched speed and athleticism.