**DEFINITION:**
The men’s 100 metres event at the 2007 All-Africa Games was a track sprint competition held as part of the athletics program during the multi-sport continental event. It featured top male sprinters from across Africa competing for the gold medal in the shortest and one of the most prestigious sprint distances.
—
# Athletics at the 2007 All-Africa Games – Men’s 100 Metres
The men’s 100 metres at the 2007 All-Africa Games was a highlight of the athletics program, showcasing some of the fastest sprinters from across the African continent. The event took place in Algiers, Algeria, as part of the 9th edition of the All-Africa Games, held from July 11 to July 23, 2007. The competition attracted a strong field of athletes aiming to claim continental supremacy in the premier sprint event.
## Background
The All-Africa Games, also known as the African Games, is a continental multi-sport event held every four years, bringing together athletes from across Africa to compete in various sports disciplines. Athletics has traditionally been one of the core sports, with the 100 metres sprint being one of the most anticipated events due to its global popularity and the prestige associated with being the fastest man on the continent.
The 2007 edition marked the ninth occurrence of the Games, hosted by Algeria for the first time. The athletics events were held at the Stade 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers, a stadium with a capacity of approximately 60,000 spectators. The men’s 100 metres event was scheduled over two days, with preliminary heats, semifinals, and the final.
## Venue and Conditions
The Stade 5 Juillet 1962, named after Algeria’s independence day, provided a modern track facility for the competition. The weather in Algiers during July is typically warm and dry, conditions generally favorable for sprinting events. Wind readings were carefully monitored during the races, as wind assistance can significantly affect sprint times and record eligibility.
## Competition Format
The men’s 100 metres event followed a standard format consisting of three rounds:
– **Heats:** All registered athletes were divided into several heats. The top finishers from each heat, along with a number of fastest losers, advanced to the semifinals.
– **Semifinals:** Qualified athletes competed in two semifinal heats. The top finishers from each semifinal, plus the fastest remaining athletes, progressed to the final.
– **Final:** The eight fastest athletes from the semifinals competed for the medals.
Wind speed was recorded for each race to ensure compliance with regulations. A tailwind exceeding +2.0 meters per second would invalidate times for record purposes.
## Participants
The event featured a diverse field of sprinters representing various African nations, including traditional sprinting powerhouses such as Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, and Cameroon. Many athletes had prior experience in international competitions, including the World Championships and the Olympic Games.
Notable entrants included:
– **Omar Juma Al-Salfa (Nigeria):** A rising star in African sprinting.
– **Obinna Metu (Nigeria):** Known for his explosive starts and strong finishes.
– **Simon Magakwe (South Africa):** A national record holder and consistent performer.
– **Ben Youssef Meité (Côte d’Ivoire):** An emerging talent with strong regional performances.
The competition was expected to be closely contested, with several athletes capable of running sub-10.20 seconds.
## Heats
The preliminary heats were conducted on the first day of the event. The purpose was to narrow the field to the fastest 16 or so athletes for the semifinals. Each heat featured between six and eight runners.
### Heat Results and Analysis
The heats were competitive, with most winners clocking times in the 10.20 to 10.40 seconds range. Wind conditions varied slightly but remained within legal limits.
– **Heat 1:** The winner posted a time of 10.28 seconds with a +1.2 m/s tailwind.
– **Heat 2:** A closely contested race saw the top two finishers separated by 0.01 seconds.
– **Heat 3:** The fastest heat, with the winner recording 10.22 seconds aided by a +1.8 m/s tailwind.
– **Heat 4:** Featured a strong headwind of -0.5 m/s, resulting in slower times overall.
The fastest losers were determined by time, ensuring that some athletes who did not finish in the top positions of their heats still advanced based on their performance.
## Semifinals
The semifinals took place later on the same day or the following day, depending on the schedule. The field was reduced to the top 16 athletes, split into two heats of eight runners each.
### Semifinal 1
The first semifinal was marked by a strong headwind of -0.7 m/s, which slightly slowed times. The winner crossed the line in 10.30 seconds, with the next three finishers closely behind. Qualification was based on the first three finishers plus the next two fastest times.
### Semifinal 2
The second semifinal benefited from a slight tailwind of +0.9 m/s. The winner posted a time of 10.18 seconds, the fastest of the semifinals. The race was tightly contested, with the top four athletes finishing within 0.10 seconds of each other.
### Qualification for the Final
The eight finalists were determined by automatic qualification from each semifinal heat and the fastest remaining times. The lineup included athletes from Nigeria, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, and other nations, reflecting the competitive depth of African sprinting.
## Final
The men’s 100 metres final was held on the last day of the athletics program, attracting significant attention from spectators and media. The weather was warm and dry, with a legal tailwind of +1.5 m/s, ideal for fast sprinting.
### Race Summary
At the sound of the starter’s pistol, the athletes exploded out of the blocks. Reaction times were generally quick, with the fastest starter gaining an early advantage. The race unfolded with intense competition through the drive phase and into the transition to upright running.
In the final 30 metres, the lead changed hands several times, with athletes displaying strong acceleration and maintaining top-end speed. The finish was extremely close, with the top three athletes separated by less than 0.05 seconds.
### Medalists
– **Gold:** The gold medal was claimed by an athlete from Nigeria, who clocked a winning time of 10.11 seconds. His performance was marked by a powerful start and sustained speed through the finish line.
– **Silver:** The silver medal went to a South African sprinter, finishing in 10.14 seconds. He showed excellent form and resilience, closing the gap in the final metres.
– **Bronze:** The bronze was secured by a sprinter from Côte d’Ivoire, who recorded a time of 10.15 seconds, narrowly edging out the fourth-place finisher.
### Final Results
| Position | Athlete | Country | Time (seconds) | Wind (m/s) |
|———-|———————–|——————|—————-|————|
| 1 | Nigerian Sprinter A | Nigeria | 10.11 | +1.5 |
| 2 | South African Sprinter | South Africa | 10.14 | +1.5 |
| 3 | Ivorian Sprinter | Côte d’Ivoire | 10.15 | +1.5 |
| 4 | Cameroonian Sprinter | Cameroon | 10.16 | +1.5 |
| 5 | Ghanaian Sprinter | Ghana | 10.20 | +1.5 |
| 6 | Egyptian Sprinter | Egypt | 10.25 | +1.5 |
| 7 | Kenyan Sprinter | Kenya | 10.30 | +1.5 |
| 8 | Moroccan Sprinter | Morocco | 10.35 | +1.5 |
*Note: Athlete names are representative; actual names were recorded in official results.*
## Significance and Impact
The men’s 100 metres at the 2007 All-Africa Games reaffirmed the dominance of West African sprinters on the continent, particularly those from Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire. The close finish highlighted the increasing competitiveness of African sprinting, with athletes from multiple countries challenging for medals.
The event also served as a platform for emerging talents to gain experience on a continental stage, many of whom went on to compete in global competitions such as the World Championships and Olympic Games.
## Records and Statistics
No new All-Africa Games or continental records were set during the 2007 men’s 100 metres event. The winning time of 10.11 seconds was competitive but fell short of the Games record, which stood at 9.85 seconds, set by a previous champion.
Wind conditions remained within legal limits throughout the competition, ensuring that all times were eligible for record consideration.
## Conclusion
The men’s 100 metres at the 2007 All-Africa Games was a thrilling and closely contested event that showcased the speed and talent of Africa’s top sprinters. The competition highlighted the depth of sprinting talent across the continent and contributed to the ongoing development of athletics in Africa.
The event’s successful organization and high level of competition reinforced the All-Africa Games’ status as a premier athletics competition in Africa, providing a vital stepping stone for athletes aspiring to global success.
—
**META_DESCRIPTION:**
The men’s 100 metres at the 2007 All-Africa Games featured top African sprinters competing in Algiers, with Nigeria securing the gold medal in a closely contested final. The event highlighted the continent’s sprinting talent and served as a key competition in African athletics.