Olympedia – Athletics at the 1996 Summer Olympics

The 1996 Olympics returned to the United States after 12 years, to the southern city of Atlanta. The Europeans were concerned about the heat of the American heat for the athletes, but Atlanta had a strangely cool summer. These were the final Olympics for American Carl Lewis, possibly the greatest ever track & field athlete. He had made the ill-fated US team in 1980, and competed since 1984, winning four gold medals in 1984. Now somewhat past his prime, he was still considered a threat in the long jump, although Mike Powell, who had defeated Lewis in their epic battle at the 1991 World Championships, was favored. But in Atlanta Powell was injured and finished only fifth. Lewis hit the winning mark on his third jump (8.50/27-10¾) to win his fourth consecutive gold medal, matching the feat of Al Oerter in the discus. He also controversially lobbied to be placed on the 4x100 relay team but this was denied, and the Americans did not win that event, losing to Canada, led by 100 metre gold medalist Donovan Bailey.

The big hero of the Atlanta track was another American, Michael Johnson. Johnson became the first ever to win the 200/400 double, setting a remarkable world record of 19.32 in the 200 in the process. He was supposed to run the 4x400 as well, but tweaked his hamstring in the 200 final and did not run. The Americans still won the 1600 relay. Among the women, France’s Marie-José Pérec duplicated Johnson’s feat by winning the 200/400. Russian Svetlana Masterkova was another doubler, winning the 800 and 1,500.

Event Status Date Participants NOCs 100 metres, Men Olympic 26 – 27 July 1996 106 75 200 metres, Men Olympic 31 July – 1 August 1996 78 57 400 metres, Men Olympic 26 – 29 July 1996 62 42 800 metres, Men Olympic 28 – 31 July 1996 56 40 1,500 metres, Men Olympic 29 July – 3 August 1996 57 37 5,000 metres, Men Olympic 31 July – 3 August 1996 37 22 10,000 metres, Men Olympic 26 – 29 July 1996 46 29 Marathon, Men Olympic 4 August 1996 124 79 110 metres Hurdles, Men Olympic 28 – 29 July 1996 62 39 400 metres Hurdles, Men Olympic 29 July – 1 August 1996 55 35 3,000 metres Steeplechase, Men Olympic 29 July – 2 August 1996 35 22 4 x 100 metres Relay, Men Olympic 2 – 3 August 1996 154 37 4 x 400 metres Relay, Men Olympic 2 – 3 August 1996 151 35 20 kilometres Race Walk, Men Olympic 26 July 1996 60 33 50 kilometres Race Walk, Men Olympic 2 August 1996 51 27 High Jump, Men Olympic 26 – 28 July 1996 37 27 Pole Vault, Men Olympic 31 July – 2 August 1996 37 24 Long Jump, Men Olympic 28 – 29 July 1996 52 40 Triple Jump, Men Olympic 26 – 27 July 1996 43 32 Shot Put, Men Olympic 26 July 1996 36 24 Discus Throw, Men Olympic 29 – 31 July 1996 40 30 Hammer Throw, Men Olympic 27 – 28 July 1996 37 22 Javelin Throw, Men Olympic 2 – 3 August 1996 34 21 Decathlon, Men Olympic 31 July – 1 August 1996 40 24 100 metres, Women Olympic 26 – 27 July 1996 56 38 200 metres, Women Olympic 31 July – 1 August 1996 47 34 400 metres, Women Olympic 26 – 29 July 1996 49 35 800 metres, Women Olympic 26 – 29 July 1996 36 30 1,500 metres, Women Olympic 31 July – 3 August 1996 32 21 5,000 metres, Women Olympic 26 – 28 July 1996 46 25 10,000 metres, Women Olympic 27 July – 2 August 1996 35 19 Marathon, Women Olympic 28 July 1996 88 53 100 metres Hurdles, Women Olympic 29 – 31 July 1996 44 28 400 metres Hurdles, Women Olympic 28 – 31 July 1996 30 21 4 x 100 metres Relay, Women Olympic 2 – 3 August 1996 93 22 4 x 400 metres Relay, Women Olympic 2 – 3 August 1996 59 14 10 kilometres Race Walk, Women Olympic 29 July 1996 44 26 High Jump, Women Olympic 1 – 3 August 1996 32 24 Long Jump, Women Olympic 1 – 2 August 1996 48 35 Triple Jump, Women Olympic 29 – 31 July 1996 32 23 Shot Put, Women Olympic 31 July – 2 August 1996 25 16 Discus Throw, Women Olympic 28 – 29 July 1996 39 24 Javelin Throw, Women Olympic 26 – 27 July 1996 32 23 Heptathlon, Women Olympic 27 – 28 July 1996 29 21 2057 (1302/755) 190 (180/142)