Sprints are short running events in athletics and track and field. Races over short distances at maximum speeds are among the oldest running competitions.
The first 13 editions of the Ancient Olympic Games featured only one event—the stadion race, which was a race from one end of the stadium to the other.1 There are three sprinting events which are currently held at the Summer Olympics and outdoor World Championships: the 100 metres, 200 metres, and 400 metres.
