Athletics at the 1976 Olympics
Women's 100 m

Before the games West German Inge Helten was a good bet for finding an olympic champion. In Fürth just before the Olympics on June 13 she set a new world record with a time of 11,04 sec. However, the biggest favorite was probably East German Renate Stecher who had won both the 100 m and 200 m four years earlier in Munich. Other candidates were American Brenda Morehead entering the Montreal games with the second best time of the season 11,08, and another fast West German Annegret Richter. In addition the double silver medalist from Munich, Raelene Boyle from Australia, was in the field.

The preliminary heats did not produce any surprises and all the favorites entered the quarter finals. The best times were achieved by the two West Germans Annegret Richter - winning Heat 6 in 11,19 - and Inge Helten - winning Heat 1 in 11,26.

In the first quarter final the event had a new top favorite when Annegret Richter stormed the 100 m in 11,05 - a new Olympic record and just 1/100 sec. from Inge Helten's fresh world record.

The second quarter final was won by Inge Helten in 11,20, the third heat by young American Evelyn Ashford in 11,28 sending Raelene Boyle into second place, and finally Renate Stecher won Heat 4 in 11,22 in front of American Brenda Morehaed.

In the first semi final Annegret Richter ran another incredible time setting a new world record with 11,01 sec. Evelyn Ashford came in second place 20/100 sec. behind Richter. The second semi final was won by Renate Stecher in 11,10 in front of Inge Helten (11,18) and Raelene Boyle (11,22). USA's biggest name Brenda Morehead was eliminated finishing only sixth.

In the final on the 25th of July Annegret Richter, Renate Stecher and Inge Helten were in a class of their own and it was a close race. Annegret Richter took the gold medal in a time of 11,08, Stecher won the silver in 11,13 and Helten bronze in 11,17. Australian Raelene Boyle came in fourth place with 11,23.

In the final two young runners finishing 5th and 8th would later become dominating figures in women's sprinting, Evelyn Ashford and East German Marlies Oelsner (later Marlies Göhr).