Track and field gives us some of the purest moments in sports, where the fastest person simply wins. This One Gotta Go card puts four legends on the same starting line: Usain Bolt, Carl Lewis, Florence Griffith-Joyner and Michael Johnson.
Three stay in the record books, and one is erased. Think about the races you watched at the Olympics, the legend your parents told you about and the athlete whose records still seem impossible. Then pick and tell your group which race you would most love to see again.
The 4 choices on this card
A. Usain Bolt
Usain Bolt holds the world records in the 100 and 200 meters and won eight Olympic gold medals with a big smile and a famous lightning bolt pose. He is the face of sprinting. The only case against him is that the others had longer careers in more events.
Keep it if: You think the 9.58 in Berlin is the most amazing number in sports, and Bolt's personality made track fun.
B. Carl Lewis
Carl Lewis won nine Olympic gold medals in sprints and the long jump, matching a legend from an earlier era with four golds at the 1984 Games. He was incredibly versatile. Younger fans may not know him as well, which makes him a candidate for the cut.
Keep it if: You admire an athlete who could win in both sprints and jumps and stay at the top for so long.
C. Florence Griffith-Joyner
Florence Griffith-Joyner, known as Flo-Jo, set world records in the 100 and 200 meters in 1988 that still stand, along with famous style and nails. She is a legend. Her career at the top was short, which some fans hold against her when ranking.
Keep it if: You love her style, her speed and the fact that her records have lasted for decades.
D. Michael Johnson
Michael Johnson won the 200 and 400 meters at the 1996 Olympics in his famous gold shoes, with an upright running style nobody else had. He set world records too. He is often mentioned less than Bolt or Lewis, which makes him a common cut.
Keep it if: You remember the gold shoes in Atlanta and think his 200 and 400 double was one of the best Olympic feats ever.
Our take
We would cut Michael Johnson, though it is close. Bolt is the greatest sprinter of his era, Lewis was the most versatile and Flo-Jo holds records that still look impossible. The most fun debate usually comes down to Bolt against Lewis, since it is pure speed against a long, multi-event career. Ask everyone which race they would want to watch from the front row of the stadium. Then hold a quick race to the kitchen for snacks.
How to play this card with friends
- Read the four choices out loud.
- Everyone picks the one they'd eliminate at the same time.
- Explain your pick. This is where the fun starts.
- Use the follow-up questions below to keep it going.
Follow-up questions to keep the debate going
- Which track records will never be broken?
- Who is the fastest human ever?
- Is the 100 meters the most exciting event in sports?
- Which track legend would you add to this card?
Want more debates like this? Get the One Gotta Go card game for game night, family dinners and road trips. Shop the decks.
Track & Field Legends: quick answers
What is Usain Bolt's 100m world record?
Usain Bolt set the men's 100 meter world record of 9.58 seconds at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin. He also set the 200 meter record of 19.19 seconds at the same championships. Both records have stood for many years.
Do Flo-Jo's world records still stand?
Yes. Florence Griffith-Joyner set the women's 100 meter and 200 meter world records in 1988, and both have lasted for decades. Many fans consider them among the hardest records in track and field to break.
