L’EFFICIENZA NELLE STAFFETTE 4×100: ANALISI STATISTICA DELLE FINALI OLIMPICHE DAL 1996 AL 2024

The 4×100 m relay is among the most technically challenging events in track and field, as performance outcomes rely not only on individual sprint ability but also on the quality of baton exchanges and overall team synchronization. This study investigates men’s and women’s Olympic finals from 1996 to 2024, presenting an analytical framework that integrates split sprint data with relay-specific constraints. Two mathematical models were employed: an exponential function to describe acceleration during the first 30 m, and a quadratic model to account for velocity decline beyond 100 m, incorporating adjustments for baton exchanges, flying starts, and curve running. Based on these models, theoretical relay times were calculated and compared with official performances to derive an efficiency index. The findings indicate a steady improvement in absolute performance levels—more pronounced in men—while efficiency remains consistently high yet below its theoretical maximum in both sexes. The proposed approach provides a quantitative perspective on Olympic relay performance, emphasizing the interaction between individual sprint capacity and collective execution in elite-level sprinting.