A gold medal in the race gives an athlete global recognition. Breaking the world record over the distance ensures sporting immortality.
American Donald Lippincott and Czech Marie Mejzlikova were the first, with Jamaica's Usain Bolt and Florence Griffith-Joyner of the United States the current holders of the crown.
Before the 2016 Games in Rio, at which Bolt and compatriot Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce will defend the 100m titles they won in London four years ago, BBC Sport presents a chronological history of world records in the event, showing each time it has been broken and when.
An accessible version can be found here
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The 100m is arguably the Olympic Games' most iconic event.