Athletics at the 1900 Summer Olympics – Men's 200 metres


The men's 200 metres was a sprinting event on the athletics programme at the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris. It was held on July 22, 1900, well after most of the rest of the athletics events. The 1900 Games were the first time the 200 metres was contested. The races were held on a track of 500 metres in circumference. Eight athletes from seven nations competed.

Records

These were the standing world and Olympic records prior to the 1900 Summer Olympics.
World Record21.4' Jim MayburyChicago June 5, 1897
Olympic Recordnone

' unofficial 220 yards
William Holland set the first Olympic record when he won the first heat of the first round in 24.0 seconds. In the final Walter Tewksbury set a new Olympic record with 22.2 seconds.

Competition format

There were two rounds: heats and a final. The top 2 runners in each heat advanced to the final.

Results

First round

In the first round, there were two heats. The top two runners in each advanced to the final.

Heat 1

RankAthleteNationTimeNotes
124.0
2Unknown
3Unknown
4Unknown

The first heat was an easy win for Holland.

Heat 2

RankAthleteNationTimeNotes
125.0
2
3Unknown
4Unknown

Rowley beat Tewksbury by about a foot, and neither of the other two runners were close.

Final

RankAthleteNationTime
22.2
4

Tewksbury passed Pritchard in the second half of the race and crossed the finish line 2½ yards clear of the field, with Pritchard half a yard ahead of Rowley, and Rowley six inches ahead of Holland, who was the slowest in the final despite improving upon his time by over a second.