On August 13th in sports history, one significant event took place in 2004 during the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. It was the day when the Men's 100-meter dash final was held, and it turned out to be a race for the ages.
The final featured a star-studded lineup, including reigning world champion Kim Collins of Saint Kitts and Nevis, and the American trio of Maurice Greene, Shawn Crawford, and Justin Gatlin. However, the spotlight was on Jamaica's Asafa Powell, who had recently broken the 100-meter world record and was the overwhelming favorite to win the gold medal.
As the gun went off, the sprinters burst out of the blocks, with Powell taking an early lead. However, Gatlin quickly closed the gap and overtook Powell at the halfway mark. From there, it was a neck-and-neck battle between Gatlin and Greene, with Crawford also in the mix.
In a thrilling finish, Gatlin edged out Greene by just 0.01 seconds, claiming the gold medal with a time of 9.85 seconds. Greene took silver, while Crawford won bronze. Powell, the pre-race favorite, finished a disappointing fifth.
Gatlin's victory was a momentous one, as he became the youngest Olympic 100-meter champion in 36 years at the age of 22. His win also marked the first time an American had won the event since Carl Lewis in 1996.
The 2004 Men's 100-meter final remains one of the most exciting races in Olympic history, with Gatlin's unexpected triumph adding to the drama. It was a day that will forever be remembered in the annals of sports history.
