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.

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

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

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