For the past several weeks, the most controversial topic in track and field has been who can rightfully claim the title of the fastest man in the world. Is it the reigning Olympic or world champion? Is it the current world leader? Is it the world record holder?
The truth is that each of those questions has its own title. Typically, the general consensus is that the fastest man in the world is the reigning champion from the Olympics or outdoor world championships. There is no rule book that officially states this definition, so much of the discourse has come from opinions and discussions over title semantics.
Those who believe the title belongs to the reigning champion think that the title is less related to time and more related to the fact that the winner lined up with the best athletes in the world and beat them all. The history and discussion of all opinions require a more in-depth article.
