Athletics at the 1896 Summer Olympics – men's 100 metres — men's 100 metres events at the Olympics
The men's 100 metres at the 1896 Olympics was the first event run at the modern Olympic Games, making it a landmark moment in the history of international sport.
Key Facts
- Date of first heat
- 6 April 1896
- Date of final
- 10 April 1896
- Number of athletes
- 15
- Nations represented
- 8
- Gold medalist
- Thomas Burke (United States)
- Silver medalist
- Fritz Hofmann (Germany)
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The revival of the Olympic Games in Athens in 1896 created an international athletics programme. The 100 metres, the shortest track event on the schedule, was placed as the opening race, with 15 competitors from 8 nations registering for the event across three heats and a final.
Thomas Burke of the United States won the men's 100 metres final on 10 April 1896, with Fritz Hofmann of Germany finishing second. Alajos Szokolyi of Hungary and American Francis Lane, who had won the first heat, tied for third. The International Olympic Committee later recognized these finishers as gold, silver, and bronze medalists respectively.
The completion of the men's 100 metres established the template for sprint competition at the modern Olympics. Although a formal medal award system had not yet been implemented in 1896, the IOC retroactively recognized the top finishers, setting a precedent for recording and honoring Olympic champions from the inaugural Games.
Result
at Panathenaic Stadium, Athens