All of the data was compiled from what is available on the official IAAF website, but I have a suspicion that some of the women’s times are missing, particularly for the 100m.
The purpose of this was to get a better visualization of the history of the sprints, but I decided not to write about my thoughts just yet. So it’s more of an overview than strict analysis, but I digress. You can draw your own conclusions based on what you see :).
If you have problems with seeing the interactive charts properly, you can click on images instead.
MEN
100m
- World Leading Times Since Mainstream Adoption of Fully Automatic Timing: [Chart] [Image]
- List of all sub-9.90 times in history: [Spreadsheet] [Website] [PDF]
- Medal Winning Times at the Olympics since the Adoption of Fully Automatic Timing: [Chart] [Image]
200m
- World Leading Times Since Mainstream Adoption of Fully Automatic Timing: [Chart] [Image]
- List of all sub-19.90 times in history: [Spreadsheet] [Website] [PDF]
- Medal Winning Times at the Olympics since the Adoption of Fully Automatic Timing: [Chart] [Image]
400m
- World Leading Times Since Mainstream Adoption of Fully Automatic Timing: [Chart] [Image]
- List of all sub-44 times in history: [Spreadsheet] [Website] [PDF]
- Medal Winning Times at the Olympics since the Adoption of Fully Automatic Timing: [Chart] [Image]
WOMEN
100m
- World Leading Times Since Mainstream Adoption of Fully Automatic Timing: [Chart] [Image]
- List of all sub-10.90 times in history: [Spreadsheet] [Website] [PDF]
- Medal Winning Times at the Olympics since the Adoption of Fully Automatic Timing: [Chart] [Image]
200m
- World Leading Times Since Mainstream Adoption of Fully Automatic Timing: [Chart] [Image]
- List of all sub-22 times in history: [Spreadsheet] [Website] [PDF]
- Medal Winning Times at the Olympics since the Adoption of Fully Automatic Timing: [Chart] [Image]
400m
- World Leading Times Since Mainstream Adoption of Fully Automatic Timing: [Chart] [Image]
- List of all sub-49.50 times in history: [Spreadsheet] [Website] [PDF]
- Medal Winning Times at the Olympics since the Adoption of Fully Automatic Timing: [Chart] [Image]
I plan on updating the charts as the season progresses.
Žiga P. Škraba
Žiga P. Škraba 
History? Your list is not history. Your list is a list. I think you are missing some names and your information is incomplete. If you wish to discuss history should it not be complete?
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Hm, I don’t know if I fully get your point. Could you tell me which list you’re referring to (there are 6) and which information is missing? Because 1) I was only compiling times after the introduction of FAT and 2) almost all of the data was pulled off of IAAF website (fastest times). I’m pretty sure no names that haven’t been erased due to doping are missing. But I could be wrong. So if you could tell me which info is missing, that would be great :).
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I didn’t see Ben Johnsons name. At the minimum
his name needs to be included on your list or your list is inaccurate.
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Well, it’s tricky. His times have been erased from official books for obvious reasons, even though it’s arguable that most of the times on any of these top lists are tainted.
But official is official and those are the only times I included.
I’ll think about making another list (or adding them to the existing ones) with the likes of Ben Johnson, Tim Montgomery, Marion Jones etc. included.
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You ignorance is deplorable for a website owner in this space. Understandable given how ignorant the general population generally is. Have you read Speed Trap by Coach Charlie Francis? Have you seen 9.97* by Daniel Gordon? Do you know anything about the IAAF or the Charles Dubin Inquiry? Perspective is everything in life and while you see your list of added names as tricky I see total lack of reality. I suppose you have Flo Jo on your female list. LOL. Good day.
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I understand your point, but not your negativity. I mean I’ve checked out your website and it’s obvious that you’re much more of an insider to top athletics than I’m ever likely to be.
I have a lot of respect for Charlie Francis and his work, but I don’t know why you’re so negative towards me and my writing. I do it for the love of the sport and there is no agenda on my part. My lists are my own visualizations of the times that are official. Let me repeat, times that are official. Nothing more, nothing less.
I’d like us to have a discussion without name calling because it really isn’t conducive to a healthy debate.
PS: I have read Speed Trap, watched the 9.79* documentary numerous times and I’m fairly familiar with the Dubin inquiry. I also don’t have anything against Ben Johnson. In fact I believe he’s done a lot of positive work (both on and off the track) despite being shunned by the media for so long.
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