The sprints - 100, 200 metres, 4X100 metres relay - may be described as the "stellar events" of athletics, those in which human beings express the maximum of velocity. This book chronicles the evolution of the sprint events from Bernard Wefers, probably the fastest man of the 20th century, to Jesse Owens "The Incomparable" and Michael Johnson.

67 Km/hr) ever attained by a man in race from a standing start. Attention is also devoted to the parallel evolution of the 4X100 m. relay. Women's sprint races have a shorter history which is nonetheless related in detail. As in most of RLQ's works, one finds throughout the book many asides devoted to sundry episodes emanating from the history of this fascinating department. Gustavo Pallicca, a great athletics enthusiast and a keen observer, offers valuable contributions of his own (always denoted with his initials) on the vital subjects of starting and timing, drawn from his long experience as an international starter. This work features a World Year List and All Time Lists for both men and women at the end of any given period. All runners and other relevant authorities are mentioned in the text.