Frankie Fredericks
This was the twenty-fourth time the event was held, having appeared at every Olympics since the first in 1896. Two finalists from 1996 returned: defending gold medalist Donovan Bailey of Canada and bronze medalist Ato Boldon of Trinidad and Tobago. Two-time silver medalist Frankie Fredericks of Namibia was injured and unable to compete. The United States team was led by reigning world champion (1997 and 1999) and world record holder Maurice Greene. Boldon, the 1998 Commonwealth champion, was the main challenger to Greene.