Decoding Speed: Experts Define the Fastest Man and Woman Alive
One of the big discussions buzzing around the World Athletics Championship is who gets to wear the title of the…
One of the big discussions buzzing around the World Athletics Championship is who gets to wear the title of the fastest man and woman alive? Conversations online got heated after the US team clinched victory in the women’s 100-meter finals. Sha’carri Richardson blazed through the track in 10.65 seconds, setting a new championships record. The American media had a field day, identifying her as the fastest woman alive and this sparked a clash among track and field fans online. Jamaicans online were quick to point out that Jamaican sprinter Elaine Thompson Herah holds the crown of the fastest woman sprinter alive, clocking a jaw-dropping 10.54 seconds for the 100-meter dash. The only other woman to run a faster time in the history of the short distance event is the late Florence Griffith-Joyner in 10.49 seconds.
Now, to sort through the whirlwind of opinions, we asked a few seasoned sports analysts – how should we determine the criteria for crowning the fastest man and woman alive? This is what they said.
Fabian Lyon, Senior Sports Journalist:
Clocking the world’s fastest time in the event and winning the most prestigious medal – OLYMPIC gold at least 2 times would be the criteria.
Carole Beckford, Senior Public Relations, Marketing and Sports Management Consultant:
- Elaine Thompson-Herah (Jamaica) 10.54 sec.
- Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (Jamaica) 10.60
- Shericka Jackson (Jamaica) 10.65
- Marion Jones ( USA) 10.65
- Sha’Carri Richardson (USA) 10.65
- Carmelita Jeter ( USA) 10.67
Men
- Usain Bolt (Jamaica) 9.58 sec.)
- Tyson Gay (USA) 9.69
- Yohan Blake (Jamaica) 9.69
- Asafa Powell (Jamaica) 9.72
- Justin Gatlin (USA) 9.74
All achieved under wind-legal conditions, i.e. with greater than 2. 0 meters per second following wind.
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