| The 100 m dash was the first competition in the first olympic games of 1896. Therefore, the first qualifying heat on the distance was the first olympic event ever, since the games had been inaugurated. The American Frank Lane won the heat and became the first athlete to win an olympic competition in modern times.
The additional two qualifying heats where also won by Americans, Thomas Curtis and Thomas Burke, both from Boston. The two best runners from each of the three heats went on to the final which took place four days later on the 4th of October.
Among the six finalists Thomas Curtis chose to abstain from the race in order to focus on the 110 m hurdles final on the same day, where he successfully won the gold medal.
In the final of the 100 m Thomas Burke repeated his time from the qualifying heat of 12,0 seconds and relatively easy won the gold medal with the German Fritz Hofmann in second place.
Thomas Burke later added to his gold medal by also winning the 400 m distance in Athens 1896. | 
Future Olympics 
