Olympic Games - Some Track and Field Records

MEN's Track and Field Events
EventAthleteNationalityTime/Dist.YearPlace
100 metresDonovan Bailey Canada9.84s1996Atlanta
200 metresMichael JohnsonUSA 19.32s1996Atlanta
400 metresMichael JohnsonUSA 43.49s1996Atlanta
800 metresVebjoern RodalNorway 1m 42.58s1996Atlanta
1500 metresNoah NgenyKenya 3m 32.07s2000Sydney
5000 metresSaid AouitaMorocco 13m 5.59s1984Los Angeles
10000 metresHaile GebrselassieEthiopia 27m 7.34s1996Atlanta
MarathonCarlos LopesPortugal 2h 9m 21s1984Los Angeles
SteeplechaseJulius KariukiKenya 8m 5.51s1988Seoul
High JumpCharles AustinUSA 2.39 m1996Atlanta
Long JumpBob BeamonUSA 8.90 m1968Mexico City
Pole VaultJean GalfioneFrance5.92m 1996Atlanta
ShotUlf TimmermannGerman Dem. Rep. 22.47 m1988Seoul
DiscusLars RiedelGermany 69.40 m1996Atlanta
Javelin**Jan ZeleznyCzechoslovakia 90.17 m2000Sydney

WOMEN's Track and Field Events
EventAthleteNationalityTime/Dist.YearPlace
100 metresFlorence Griffith JoynerUSA10.62s*1988Seoul
200 metresFlorence Griffith JoynerUSA21.34s1988Seoul
400 metresMarie-Jose PerecFrance48.25s1996Atlanta
800 metresNadiya OlizarenkoUSSR1m 53.43s1980Moscow
1500 metresPaula IvanRomania 3m 53.96s1988Seoul
5000 metresGabriela SzaboRomania 14m 40.79s2000Sydney
10000 metresDerartu TuluEthiopa 30m 17.49s2000Sydney
MarathonNaoko TakahashiJapan2h 23m 14s2000Sydney
High JumpStefka KostadinovaBulgaria 2.05 m1996Atlanta
Long JumpJackie Joyner KerseeUSA 7.40 m1988Seoul
ShotIlona SlupianekGerman Dem. Rep. 22.41 m1980Moscow
DiscusMartina HellmannGerman Dem. Rep. 72.30 m1988Seoul
Javelin**Trine HattestadNorway 68.91 m2000Sydney

* indicates the record was set during one of the preliminary heats.
In some cases a better result (time or distance) can be found for an event, but this usually means
the better result was made with a wind speed greater than that allowed by the rules.
** The javelin record (over time) appears to go 'backwards' at one point. This was because the javelin was being thrown so far (over 100 metres for men) it was becoming increasingly difficult to fit a safe throwing-range into a stadium, so the javelin was re-designed so as not to be thrown so far! This meant that records had to be 're-started'.