London 2012
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Athletics

Athletics has been contested at every Summer Olympics since the birth of the modern Olympic movement at the 1896 Summer Olympics. Often regarded as the jewel in the crown of the Olympic Games, the athletics program traces its earliest roots to events used in the ancient Greek Olympics. The modern program now comprises track and field events, road running events, and walking events.

Most athletic events take place within a stadium either on, around or inside a 400m running track.  Only the marathon and walking events are held outside the stadium.

The highlight of the Athletics calendar is always the 100m sprint final.  In 2012 Usain Bolt retained his title as “the fastest man on earth”.  The race was the most competitive in history with all but one runner finishing in a time of under 10 seconds.


Team GB won track and field gold in the Men’s 5000m, Men’s 10000m, Woman’s Heptathlon and the Men’s Long Jump.