Time turns everything around, and that, my friend, is a fact. But have you taken note of how the track and field world has evolved over time? Over the course of a century? How does the transition from athlete legends then and now differ? Well, for starters, it could be a matter of human innovations! The modern Olympic star Noah Lyles and the 1924 champion Harold Abrahams, separated by about 100 years, have both experienced drastic changes to reach their respective achievements.

Lyles, 27, has successfully captured the attention of millions with his amazing performances. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, he won the gold medal in the men’s 100m sprint, by clocking 9.79 seconds. The third fastest of all time, he is also a six-time World Champion! Flipping the page back to 1924, the scene was different, though the spirit was the same.

In the 1924 Olympic Games, Harold Maurice Abrahams from Great Britain, won the men’s 100m event, a feat depicted in the 1981 film Chariots of Fire. Abrahams clocked 10.6 seconds in his race, ultimately 0.81 seconds slower than Noah Lyles. While this difference may seem small, in the world of track and field, even milliseconds matter.

To bridge this gap of 0.81 seconds, innovations over the past century—in infrastructure, technology, shoes, and training—have played a crucial role. From apparel to tracks to diet and training routines, everything has undergone remarkable changes. Interesting STEM (@InterestingSTEM) has posted detailed visuals over X captioning “🥇 Speed in 1924 vs 2024.”

The possible change makers in human performances like that of Noah Lyles’

Starting with shoes, the sports footwear of 1924 featured goatskin upper leather—soft but prone to trapping heat and scratches. The leather insoles were equipped with wrought iron spikes, making them heavy compared to today’s shoes. In 2024, sports shoes are designed with breathable materials, lightweight bodies, and carbon or nylon outsoles combined with advanced foam, all of which enhance an athlete’s performance.

Next, consider the track itself. In 1924, athletes ran on cinder tracks that had uneven surfaces, poor grip, and offered no energy return. Today, tracks like Mondo are specially designed for running, providing slip-resistant surfaces and energy return, along with precision blocks for a perfect head start.

Modern training facilities have also had a massive impact. Tailored training programs, paired with optimized diets, better schedules, and proper sleep, help athletes achieve their maximum potential. Both Noah Lyles and Harold Abrahams gave it their all, using whatever resources they had at the time. Sure, everything around them has changed drastically, but one thing hasn’t: their hustle. A century apart, but the heart of a champion? That’s timeless.