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The ancient Olympic Games in Olympia, Greece feature running events, marking the early origins of track and field.
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The first modern Olympic Games are held in Athens, Greece, featuring track and field events.
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Jesse Owens, an African-American athlete, wins four gold medals at the Berlin Olympics, challenging Adolf Hitler's notion of Aryan racial superiority.
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Roger Bannister becomes the first person to run a mile in under 4 minutes, setting a new world record at the time and pushing the boundaries of human performance.
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Ethiopian athlete Abebe Bikila wins the Olympic marathon in Rome, becoming the first black African to win a gold medal in the Games.
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Tommie Smith and John Carlos, American sprinters, raise their fists in a Black Power salute during the medal ceremony at the Mexico City Olympics, symbolizing the struggle for civil rights.
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Carl Lewis wins four gold medals at the World Championships in Helsinki, matching Jesse Owens' feat from 1936.
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Florence Griffith Joyner, known as Flo-Jo, sets world records in the 100m and 200m sprints at the U.S. Olympic Trials, which still stand today.
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Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt successfully defends his titles in the 100m and 200m at the London Olympics, becoming the first athlete to win six Olympic gold medals in sprinting.
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Wayde van Niekerk of South Africa breaks Michael Johnson's 400m world record at the Rio Olympics, setting a new mark of 43.03 seconds.
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Karsten Warholm of Norway breaks the men's 400m hurdles world record at the Bislett Games in Oslo, becoming the first athlete to run the event under 46 seconds