Why do the olympic sprinters slow down before the finish?

Question

have you notcied they all slow down and dont "run through the finish" as i was instructed to do so in my high school track team, i mean it has to make you faster. right?

Answer 1

In the qualifying races they slow down if they can and still safely make the cut off to qualify for the finals. That way they conserve energy so they can go faster when it counts. Only the top few runners slow down, only the ones that can do it and still make the finals. They do that in all races (swimming too) that have qualifiers like they.

As for Usain Bolt slowing down in the finals of the 100m, that was just nuts. He could have broken the world record by even more if he ran through the finish. A lot of people criticized him for that. It seems he was kind of surprised there was nobody next to him and just got a little too excited.

Answer 2

I think they do that only in the qualifying races. The top 3 or 4 move to the next round. When it comes to the medal race, they go all out.

Answer 3

they dont always slow down. they make sure they make the finals then no one will no how fast they will go in the final. like usain bolt none of him competitiors will no how fast he can acctully do the 100m in

Answer 4

i think its because they are all lazy f&%$s if u ask me

Answer 5

You are correct, they do slow down.  However, there is a reason.

The runners need to run in a number of heats to even qualify for a final.  Many runners also will be running other events.  In both cases, the runners wants to use as little energy as possible for each race, so that the runner won't be so tired and will be able to recover faster for the next race.

hope it helps!

~Abab

Answer 6

there is also muscle fatigue, after a few events sometimes the muscles just can't physically give that same output.

and as for that previous comment *some celebrate 15m early* ??? lol I wonder who this could be and you mean 20m, he started celebrating at the 80m line :p

Answer 7

they only do that in qualifying races in finals they don't slow down  :0 P

Answer 8

Depends. If you are in the Olympic Finals and you know you won the race with 15 meters to go, some people will celebrate early.

Also, say it is a qualifying round and top 3 advance. There are 8 people in your heat, and you just have to make top 3. The race goes off and you know you will be in the top 3 and qualify with 20 meters to go, so why waste the energy when the qualifying rounds don't mean anything.

Answer 9

They slow down during qualifying if they are sure already of top 3 placement coz the other runners are far behind.  They conserve their energy for the next round, semi or final.