And Nike knew how to market that appeal -- with an ad in 2011 that showed the sprinter starting from blocks and the caption "I am the bullet in the chamber" together with Nike's "Just do it" slogan and logo.

CNN: Nike's bullet ad with Pistorius backfires

Starting forward Rakeem Christmas, tops on the team with 40 blocks, has also heard his share of whistles.

WSJ: Reserves ready to go for short-handed Syracuse

With his times from 1936, Jesse Owens wouldn't get near today's Olympic starting blocks.

NPR: Good, Better, Best: Finding Phelps' Place In History

Bolt's reaction time was typically slow, with Gatlin, Blake and Gay faster out of the blocks, but the legs in lane seven were starting to drive.

CNN: Olympic Bolt: Witness report of historic 100m