How can the 4 people in the 4x100 meter relay be faster than 100 meter runner - bolt's record is 9.58 but the USA ran 38.3 at zurich 08.30.12?

Answer 1

That's fascinating ! I never heard of that before, and it's something to think about.

I have an idea of an answer. It's only my opinion, and a speculation at best:

The runner's time in 100 meters is made of two components: 1). His 'cruising' speed,

and 2). How fast he can accelerate off the blocks, from zero to cruising speed.

The time in the 100m starts with the pistol, so the acceleration off the blocks

starting from zero speed is included in the final result of the run.

The result of the 4x100 is comprised of 4 individual cruising speeds, but only one

acceleration from the blocks. The other three runners accelerate before the hand-off,

and each of them covers his full 100 meters at his full cruising speed.

I'll bet you it's that three-less starts off the blocks that's responsible for the startling

discrepancy that that you have pointed out.

And even so, man ... the discrepancy is only 0.02 second. What do you want ? !

Look, look, look ! . . . . .

-- Bolt's record in the 100m is 9.58

-- Four times that is 38.32

-- The US ran 4x100 in 38.3

That means Bolt could get down on the blocks, and on the average, any one of

those four guys could stand behind Bolt, get his running start up to his max sprint,

and as he passed Bolt at full speed, Bolt could leave the blocks, and he would be

only 0.02 second behind the other guy after 100 meters !