The Photo-Finish of One of the Biggest Olympic Rivalries | Olympics On The Record

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Gail Devers edges out Merlene Ottey in a thrilling photo finish Olympic 100m final at Atlanta 1996 that could barely have been any closer.
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[@Keevthe8thLordunderChristJesus]

I like how the narrator referred to the other runners as outstanding athletes.

[@basileastman6461]

Biggest injustice to Merline Ottey, should have been a dead heat. But after all in was in the USA

[@kuroneko7022]

Ottey was a beautiful sprinter. Her form was impeccable.

[@lornabeckford5419]

Amen to that! I have always been a Huge fan of Merlene...Blessings😇

[@robertturner1972]

Huh kiki

[@shimronturner262]

@Clean Up On Aisle 3 yes she is!

[@Bkamron]

Her body and her form built perfectly for sprinting. Never seen any body look so elegant going down a track.

[@steveetienne]

@@Bkamron Carl Lewis.

[@lopukojohnmv7629]

USA vs Jamaica,an everlasting Olympic rivalry

[@r.s2078]

Steroids vs Jamaica back then 😮🤔..

[@annikamyren3026]

@@r.s2078 Ottey was also on it

[@stevencooke6451]

Jamaica is on the winning end for the time being.

[@vika-br8sh]

thats changed this time, italian white guy won the 100m gold.

[@simplysher2003]

@@annikamyren3026 yu bright like a load a s..t we dont need dope to COPE. Ottey is still ALIVE AND RUNNING. NO ILLNESSES NO ROTTEN MUSCLES. WHERE IS G. DEVERS????? ANSWER...DOWN UNDER....ASH TO ASH DUST TO DUST. KIDNEY FAILURE... THATS WHAT LONG TERM USE OF DRUGS DO.... DESTROYS YOUR INTERNAL ORGANS. KAPISH...

[@MajorrBison]

Gail is now 51 and ottey is 58, time flies.

[@decemberakins3683]

Wow wow that's true and am 44 now,truly how time flies 😊

[@somethinghappenedyesterday6558]

@@decemberakins3683 and am 30😃

[@daynight4087]

Soon I'll be 40 lol and I'm 24

[@daynight4087]

25 now 😑

[@SelbinAntonyc]

22

[@mystery5655]

Ottey won, but the race being that close in that era on USA soil there was no way they would have given Ottey her earned gold medal.

[@imo1933]

Mystery: *Look you stupid clown, the camera determines who wins not country, Ottey didn't win anything, you Jamaicans need to crying over that race, Ottey lost plain and simple.*

[@kk-sg8lj]

im jamaican and i can see usa won kmt

[@kevondale8246]

Merlene was such an incredible athlete who has never won an Olympic Gold. Now, Jamaican women are dominating in the 100M. 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020 all Gold for Jamaica, 2008 and 2020 clean sweep of the podium for Jamaica and for the last 4 Olympics, Jamaican women have taken 10 of the 12 medals in the women's 100m. Merlene paved the way and Jamaica is doing Great. Proud Nation🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲

[@danielmorgan3590]

for reaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaal!

[@cody7790]

When everyone decides to be the best in the world at the same time

[@mriyefa2196]

Those last 50 meters from Ottey so impressive.

[@qaidikramuddin]

Yeah. One wished that she had known how to dip well.

[@nikelnicole]

I'm not sure what they used back then to determine a winner. If it was now Ottey would have won, her torso cross the finish line first.

[@kaydenpat]

That’s what I thought too but congrats to Gail.

[@Qtuz0v]

At 3:56 there is a photofinish, they did look at torso position and Devers was just a little bit faster (look at vertical red lines)

[@lawrenceseow7252]

Ottey and Devers both great and it should have been two golds. Ottey is my favourite and didn't deserve to get silver.

[@michkaellawrence6984]

Marlene Joyce Ottey. I love you. You made me feel so good as a child growing up.

[@cookingwithmyssbrown]

Yessss

[@analiseferguson3191]

Accurate! 👏🏾🇯🇲❤️

[@ExquisiteKinkyCoils]

Gail was, and is not only a true champion, she's a class act. This race was one of the best I've ever watched in track and field.

[@TheTmat007]

Ottey had amazing top speed. All she needed was the start.

[@franman576]

Today Elaine Thompson has the same running posture as Ottey. I love SFP but ET's form is the most attractive to me. A lot like Ottey's.

[@ozzie-raskenzie4778]

Merlin ottey will forever be Jamaica's foundation/ backbone the who made it possible to always be in the winnings

[@santshuki1677]

Ottey is a legend

[@LK-bz9sk]

Gail overcame Graves Disease too. Also so darn adorable.

[@annnee6818]

Should have been two golds. That's ridiculous.

[@denalee3204]

Facts but u know how they stay back then if u know what I mean

[@finisher3x]

Merlene Ottey was gorgeous . . and still is at almost 60 years old.

[@robertnunes5147]

Totally agree!

[@johnbell3166]

melanin don't crack

[@brooklynforever1990]

Stunning

[@carolcrowley3040]

Gail Devers a world class athlete, that didn't let an illness block her dream of going for the gold.

[@En2595]

I remember those photo finishes. Not for the faint of heart. The thrill and excitement were through the roof. I loved Merlene Ottey. She was a true champion for Jamaica 🇯🇲. Still my favorite female athlete of all time.

[@jamaicanlife-Myeyes]

Mine too

[@amoz1957]

Ottey is the greatest female sprinter in history. She participated in six Olympics games but it was unfortunate that she was always deprived of a Gold medal.

[@NevaUndaPressure]

@@amoz1957 She competed in 7 consecutive Games winning 9 Olympic medals Btw... @ 03:36 looks like confirmation of Merlene being robbed of a Gold medal 🥇

[@nirmalkumar59]

Don't worry...Now Jamaica got many stars 😎

[@sir3958]

​@PRL BHOORASINGH Jnr child she wasn't mfkn robbed. The whole photo shows Devers torso went over

[@jellytotsbethebest6148]

Is anybody going to talk about her nails at the end?

[@dapperc611]

Jelly tots be the Best she was known for that.

[@adrianagflores5587]

The jewelry is almost just as annoying. Almost .

[@paperlesspages6731]

Final thought as well

[@jazzfan2222]

That cant be aerodynamical?

[@BoleDaPole]

That was the style

[@maxolien1538]

I remember these days my heart still races watching this soooooo many years later 🤣🤣

[@IvanaDj]

What a shame! MO won for sure and got robbed. But today Jamaica took 3 medals in that discipline! And my heart is full of love for my childhood idol and all the people of Jamaica!!! 💚💚💚

[@peterpadling8276]

Ottey closed the gap and that was fascinating. One of Jamaica's great athletes. To me she took the race. She had to settle for silver after a rather hasty decision.

[@2kh22a]

It took them 4 minutes to decide

[@Pistolwhipperz]

@@2kh22a A hasty decision as he said!

[@koekenzopie5919]

@@Pistolwhipperz And it took them 4 minutes to decide as he/she said!

[@Pistolwhipperz]

@@koekenzopie5919 A hasty decision as he said!

[@koekenzopie5919]

@@Pistolwhipperz Temper, temper. You must be a really nice guy irl.

[@francisjaffier2977]

what a terrific race to watch. Ottey did have beautiful form.

[@cardiacattack2330]

We love u merlene Ottey

[@geeunit831]

I was rooting for Ottey. I remember watching it live. Such a nail biter.

[@nicolemaddix4291]

I remember, they used Devers forehead instead of Ottey's torso😎🏁

[@thejoyofsoxmovie7211]

How could that be legit?

[@maxolien1538]

@@thejoyofsoxmovie7211 it wasn't legit the world went crazy but this died. Natural death after a few days. I watched this race. I was glued to my television. Those days a lot of other countries suffered unfair and bias results. Steroids was the name of the game

[@IyamSoRaya]

Ottey = GORGEOUS!! Jamaica got her revenge in the years to come

[@nonameisaname6617]

and she doesn't even look 36

[@gpipeline]

It wasn't revenge for Ottey. A few years after this she left Jamaica to run for another country.

[@rosaworksrosaworks9410]

@@gpipeline Rubbish, ottey only started running for another country. Because couldn't qualifly to run for Jamaica any more.

[@truthseekeralways7050]

@@rosaworksrosaworks9410 What is Rubbish They telling Truth You even agree

[@truthseekeralways7050]

@@gpipeline Thanks For The info❤️👍🏼

[@DeathRowExecutions]

she was 36? wooooowww amazing

[@shanetasker6031]

I've watched this replay over a few times and I believe Merline otty actually won this race,I'm not an Olympic expert but I was taught winning is judged by who ever gets the first part of the torso over the line (not the head) is declared the winner i could swear if you look closely at the Finnish photo right on the line you can see Merline otty's torso is first, unless I've got my facts wrong the gold was stolen away from otty,I'm sure anyone reading this will think I'm just a one eyed jamaican, wrong ,I'm not even a black person I just except the facts and recognise the greatest female sprinter of all time Merline otty.

[@ivyamor8057]

I disagree coz as i look closer the right leg and the head of the american woman comes ahead than the jamaican woman on the finish line.

[@shanetasker6031]

@@ivyamor8057 leg and head don't count it's the torso first that counts.

[@ivyamor8057]

@@shanetasker6031 its not, haven't you notice that every time the runners reached the finish line they lengthen their head or feet ahead of their bodies. besides the judges knows the guidelines better..

[@shanetasker6031]

@@ivyamor8057 it was athletics trainers who taught me this when I was in little athletics as a kid, any part of the torso not head or neck,I was taught to lunge my chest at the line.

[@ivyamor8057]

@@shanetasker6031 the athletes shall be placed in which part of their bodies as distinguished like torso or the head arms legs hands or feet that reaches the vertical lane of the nearer edge of the finish line..thats the ruling accdg to international athletics asso. federations..lol

[@Fatima502]

Instead of all the "flap of wing" nonsense, it would have been nice to be told what the actual gap was, in thousandths

[@SkinnyPimpSneakers]

@ 😐Umm no not the same time. That's why 1 got first and 1 got second place. Why do I bother w the internet sometimes I wonder...

[@PR199020]

@@SkinnyPimpSneakers I don't know if you found out yet but they do not record usually past the thousandths place value in track due to differences in the margin for error in the length of the track That's why it was a "photo-finish" that had to be determined that way their times were 10.94 seconds.

[@ManuelMangani]

I think it was 6 thousandths.

[@spdcrzy]

It was in tens of thousandths - about 60 microseconds IIRC.

[@marvinwills9254]

@@PR199020 p

[@curtisalexander5902]

Always loved ottey.Very humble

[@debeekness7034]

Merlene ottey is still a sweetheart

[@himanshupurohit9835]

Yup

[@multi150nyc]

The 1996' Olympic games were crazy. Excitement all around.

[@skatelynchristibenin]

Merlene's greatly talented & has an ancient pure beauty!

[@mcdanielvalerie0]

That additional step Ottey had to take before she crossed the finish line is what gave Devers the edge to win. Another thing, I noticed is that Devers had the figure four form before she crossed the finish line her stride was longer, all she needed was one stride and she didn't have to take an additional step like Ottey did. Devers's leg was more straight than Ottey's leg which was slightly bent before they crossed the finish line. It was so close and Ottey put on an impressive performance.

[@jazmine1419]

Wow. I’m so grateful to have an very experience runner as my coach ♥️

[@stephenselner1773]

I've never seen a race where the racers 1,2 and 3 were so very close and where first and second place were only microseconds apart.

[@richardmack9183]

Those two runners closed on Devers so fast! But watching it closely. It was Devers victory. OUTSTANDING

[@heathersmith-palmer6815]

Greatest show down ever of two fabulous athletes. OTTEY'S TORSO passed the line first.

[@ellen9925]

Did she win?

[@azekibailey8285]

@@ellen9925 no it was in America so they gave it to the American

[@flelite3994]

True Ottey was robbed

[@sir3958]

You a flat lie the whole photo shows that Lean from Gail won

[@deochandjaiprashad303]

As a child this was my favourite race because I was fascinated by Devers charm. Respect to all the other athletes.

[@dereckdean3086]

Congrats to all sprinters .Nuff respect Merlene Ottey .Great run by Chandra in lane 8

[@garebear422]

4:11 those fingernails...

[@krtmddhs]

Ugh i feel like vomiting.

[@princess1peach]

ew

[@vickya5898]

Gare Bear I

[@Ayplus]

LMAO. Welcome to 1996

[@TexasGTO]

Awwww... The 90's missed you then? lol

[@laninaclay6276]

I remember this, I loved me some Gail.

[@Rmsweetgirl35]

Udidb

[@davidgivins4203]

That's what you call a tie. Your taking that long you don't know. As now has shown, life goes on.

[@NevaUndaPressure]

@OlympicChannel Thank you for featuring one of the most "controversial" Women's 100m in history. Please be so kind to compile a long overdue athlete montage of Olympic GREATEST ATHLETE, Merlene Ottey, who competed in 7 CONSECUTIVE OLYMPIC Games. 🥈🥈🥈🥉🥉🥉🥉🥉🥉🇯🇲

[@adebayoadeniran832]

Maryllene Ottey is still my most favorite female sprinter of all time after Mary Onyiali from my country Nigeria.

[@johnmalaeolevavau7042]

MERLENE OTTEY is the elegant beauty who happens to run fast, African Queen her grace and demeanour still the image remain with me since I first saw her on the Olympic field.

[@karlel549]

I remember those days when I was young, me & cousin always cheering for Ottey

[@carolkeise3847]

That Gold BELONGS to The Greatest Sprint Queen that ever walked this Universe : MERLENE OTTEY

[@jacquelinerussell8530]

Is this why Ottey was Nicknamed the Bronze queen? Maybe because she never won Olympic gold🤧

[@danbotez1307]

@@jacquelinerussell8530 In sprints Ottey is way more of a legend than Devers ever will be. Devers is a legend only in her specialty: 100 m hurdles.

[@jacquelinerussell8530]

@danbotez1307 I feel you however she was never able to get that all illusive sought-after gold medal, but whatever it is what it is. I do and always have admired her dedication and love for the sport. I even salute her because without her, there would probably be no Shelly Ann Frasier-Price Sherika or Elaine. She was definitely a trailblazer

[@danbotez1307]

@@jacquelinerussell8530 Thank you for your thoughtful answer. She was not only a terrific athlete, but also a terrific human being. I respect her immensely.

[@jacquelinerussell8530]

@@danbotez1307 👍

[@denolyukt3133]

wow.. ottey is a beautiful looking woman.

[@norirak4829]

Yes, she is!!! That's one fine piece of tall chocolate right their!!!!!

[@Robylazarus]

Agreed 100 %. A great sprinter as well.

[@MD_ENTERTAINMENT]

Yes she is

[@daTruChosen]

Right?! Jamaican women are EVERYTHING.

[@theazrael4423]

Beautiful indeed, sleek like a Gazelle.

[@jsmariani4180]

a blink of the eye is actually pretty slow compared to this photo finish.

[@nigelforrester8071]

I would say the same definately

[@nigelforrester8071]

Even the flap of the wing not enough either in my view

[@JustforFun-ki6fk]

Wow what a race !

[@tatakeherbert330]

This is reminding me about the fastest women track and field runner.... Willima Rudolph.❤💪🏾👑

[@stevenreichertart]

I can't tell who won. When I look the torsos, it looks tied.

[@Yardie1682]

The torso play it back slowly ottey won She was robbed 2 years in a row on photo finishes Gail devers & gwen torrence

[@stephenthomas2280]

Agreed....

[@gpipeline]

Doesn't hace to be the torso. She was outleaned by Devers, who rightfully won.

[@markhiggins8315]

@@gpipeline By international athletic rules it is absolutely judged by the torso. Next time do some research before commenting to avoid embarrassment.

[@carlmorrow1600]

@@Yardie1682 she wasn’t robbed

[@samjohn2814]

To me Ottey was still the better athlete. She was 36 and running like that. Besides so many of Devers races were decided for her based on her fingernails. Ottey is a one of a kind. She has done very well for her country and for the sports on a whole.

[@julianandrews9425]

Sorry but no. Merlene Ottey is a legend, but she was not the better athlete here and she was never a better athlete than Gail Devers. That’s why she never won an Olympic Gold or World Gold at 100m because she was simply not clutch, while Devers was clutch in 100m AND the hurdles. Ottey was better at the 200m IMO, clutch there.

[@glenntownes1244]

She's the queen of the bronze medal..Happy that Gail D won!

[@damarfadlan9251]

2021 during covid remembered this a lot.

[@MD_ENTERTAINMENT]

They should've both got gold, simulator to what happened in the 2008 Olympic when Sherone Simpson and another athlete was given the silver medalist after they both finished in a time of 10.98s.

[@straydogg56]

Back then I think politics played a huge role. USA being the bigger, more powerful country was always going to get the gold...but I'm Jamaican so I might not be the most objective of persons. lol

[@cornellstephenson2946]

@@straydogg56 Your logic is flawed because US athletes have been screwed so many times at the Olympics by smaller nation's officials (see basketball, boxing and gymnastics).

[@harmonsalmon3313lfj]

Otty was Rob big time, anywhere else.

[@rishikhanduri5628]

Same in Barcelona & Atlanta, just that gaity put her head smartly ahead to win both the races. Otty deserved to win atleast Atlanta Gold & should have been declared as joint winners.👏🥇🥇🏆

[@SunnyIlha]

Merlene Ottey!!!! 36!!!! FIFTH Olympic Games.

[@robertrivera2957]

We should stop letting foriegners run in our colleges and Universitys.

[@TM-se5jf]

@@robertrivera2957 lol...you think that's what did it😂😂...Did Bolt run in your schools😂😂

[@gpipeline]

@@robertrivera2957 go away troll.

[@sabesque6461]

They both should've gotten gold. In the womens 100m 2008 Beijing Olympics Jamaicans finished as winner and tied in 2nd with both athletes getting silver medals.

[@berlynebetty1078]

I have a thousand+ respect for this women

[@adegbenroagoro5180]

2 amazing athletes. Why are people still arguing about the judges conclusion? It doesn't change the official result. Merlene often burnt up the tracks during the season, ran the fastest semifinal time and would then somehow choke in the final. By 1995-6 she had gotten over those final "nerves". Definitely one of the hottest female athletes of those times.

[@marekzaszlos1152]

go to.....you wanna talk dirt on ottey?wake up, all the americans possibly on special food treatment-look at gail or flo-jo,sorry to say,or marion jones,ottey competed with all of them..and all you can say, that she was hot?shes a queen at least!one of the greatest.....such a persistence

[@lorielle5005]

Marek Zaszlos Jamaica is only known for doing well in sprints. That's awesome! Not great at anything else, just three sprint races (100m, 200m and 4x100). Ottey has her own drug controversy too. Don't forget the reason she left Jamaica to compete for Slovenia, okay. Get off your high horse!

[@rosaworksrosaworks9410]

@@lorielle5005 The reason ottey went to run for another country, is because she could no longer qualify any more. She was being beaten, by younger and stronger runners.

[@wammartin3228]

Based on my observation, Ottey won

[@ctavares3414]

Beautiful, beautiful, great and healthy rivalry

[@AKsprintz]

So the Jamaican sprinter First went to olympics at age 16, if she’s competing in her 5th Olympic game. That’s acc insane considering she was 36 in that race

[@jarodmr4292]

Try your math again

[@bismuth_gallium]

Jarod MR nope, hes right

[@jarodmr4292]

You're an idiot as well then. Ottey's first olympics was in 1980 when she was 20.

[@bismuth_gallium]

Jarod MR no need to get offended 😀

[@bismuth_gallium]

Jarod MR then the video was wrong

[@talexander2035]

We can only see it from the angles they give us. In both races Stuttgart 1993 and Atlanta 1996 Ottey is in the closer lane to us, covering Devers in a way that looks like Ottey won. A fan of both but Devers all the way. She just new how to perform when it mattered. Classy and humble👌🏿

[@midnightvelvet8077]

She was about to break her neck getting over that finish line. 😝

[@EmmyMzz]

Legend 🇯🇲🔥🔥🔥

[@drebomuche]

One of the greatest rivalries of all time and the very best of sportsmanship!

[@teraasajan]

Blink of eye that is what it takes to be an Olympic champion 🔥

[@sherinesherwood2683]

This was when Americans look as if they were entering a fight and not a sport entertainment game. The Jamaicans bring smile and laughter to the sport.

[@IyamSoRaya]

so true.

[@boobalourson8514]

29 yrs vs 38 yrs would anyone talk bout dat? Respect maam u great winner 4 me

[@olusegunodumosu2024]

nope she was 36 here

[@Yardie1682]

Ottey's torso clearly cross first Ottey you're g.o.a.t.

[@showmebear]

No it didn't, no matter how many times you say it.

[@gpipeline]

You would be wrong there. Devers rightfully won.

[@dizzywow]

IDIOT.

[@isaganiprado4874]

G.O.A.T??? 😁😂😃

[@Yardie1682]

@@gpipeline read the rules ottey clearly won & the JAAA did protest this its whose chest (torso ) cross first Not arms or legs

[@dereckdean3086]

Impressive race... Chandra Sturrup from The Bahamas in lane 8 almost medaled in this Olympic final

[@cld_crush_brthers_ultra_ma60]

Where⁉️⁉️

[@entrenamientodeverdaddjleo5866]

JAMAICA - NUMBER 1 ¡¡¡¡ ULTIMATE MOMENTS ¡¡¡¡

[@sandeepshetty1589]

Merlene Ottey was a diva of track and field

[@positive_mindset12]

Gail devers my favourite female sprinter of all time her dedication and passion spoke for itself

[@bigshawn1972]

Beautiful.

[@HughWalenski]

A nose, a pinky toe... as far ad I'm concerned they both tied and were fast af.

[@sir3958]

Sis there is no tie you clearly saw who hit the line first

[@dplm2936]

So much love and respect for Merlene Ottey

[@bkpascalkim]

as a fan of ottey i feel sorry for her

[@chrisdarby833]

I think you could include a couple more and make it a top ten cause i've seen some other awesome ones.

[@Wavecurve]

Fast - and beautiful!

[@Rushmore222]

"Is that a pledge pin on your uniform?!"

[@navdeepgupta8322]

i remember a general knowledge magazine from 96. gail devers on front.

[@kingtshilobo1849]

At 36 whew women are awesome 💪🏿

[@purwantiallan5089]

This 3 way photo finish in athletic 100m is always go down in the top of the Olympic History books.

[@NevaUndaPressure]

3 way?? No one ever remembered who won the Bronze.

[@bobmorane4463]

Excellent narration! C'est super bien raconté. Bravo!

[@RagingRaven88]

Yaaaassss, she got gold and her nails look good.

[@royalflight8860]

That's insane...!

[@showmebear]

Ottey was closing so it appears she caught and passed Devers, but in looking at the photo the finish line must have arrive BEFORE Ottey passed her.

[@quaciegilchrist6649]

They had to use the reverse angle on the photo to judge Gail as the winner. It was never used before. It was in Atlanta and they wanted the glory of the American winning on American soil. They should have awarded 2 gold medals.

[@paulstevens9487]

If it was really that difficult to separate them a joint or two golds would have been fairer.

[@AtrueStylist1]

Ottey‼️

[@camillebarrett3753]

Merlene Ottey won that race and they knowed it(madeas voice)..it was only bcuz the Olympics was held in Atlanta so they didn't want to disappoint the US crowd 🇯🇲

[@marlonduncan460]

MJO The Foundation, The Mother, The Stellar of Jamaica's female Sprinting. Love You Dear.

[@Godgirl1966]

Ottey won Ottey foot was on the line! Give Ottey her Gold NOW!!!