RUN
Along with gymnastics, track and field events arguably draw the most fan interest among Olympic sports. On the track, the sprints -- particularly the 100 -- might be the Games "biggest" events.
SPRINTS
The glamour events of track and field. Everyone knows the Maurice Greenes and Marion Joneses, but the name Jan Železný probably won't ring a bell, even though after taking a silver in 1988, the Czech won the javelin gold in '92 and '96 -- pretty good streak.
DISTANCE
It's been more than 46 years since Roger Bannister broke the four-minute mile mark, but the mile has never been an Olympic event (the 1,500 is about 359 feet shorter). Hicham El Guerrouj of Morocco currently holds the 1,500 world record (3:26.00).
HURDLE
The gate height depends on the length of race and gender of competitor: Men's 110, 42 inches; women's 100 (and men's 3,000 steeplechase), 33 inches; men's 400, 36 inches; women's 400, 30 inches. The steeplechase also has water pit obstacles.
RELAY
Each athlete is a member of his nation's "team," but the concept of teamwork is most prevalent within the relays. Sure, there's pride when an individual takes a gold for his country, but can that compete with euphoria of a country winning a team gold?
