On the anniversary of the Titanic's sinking, we take a look at how things have changed in sports since then, comparing the reigning champs from 1912 in each category below to the current reigning champs in 2012. Some things have changed (the car Dan Wheldon used to win the Indy 500 is a bit different than the car that won 100 years ago), and some things are the same (youngsters seem to have a knack for winning the US Open, just ask 19-year-old Johnny McDermott and 22-year-old Rory McIlroy).
The Titanic And 1912: Champions Then And Now Slideshow
Reggie Walker/Usain Bolt
Then: Walker won the 1908 100 meters with a time of 10.8, defeating American James Rector by half of a yard. He is still the youngest winner of the event at 19 years of age. Now: Usain Bolt set a world record in the 2008 Summer Olympics with a time of 9.69. He has since eclipsed his own record, running a 9.58 in 2009.
Jack Johnson/Vitali Klitschko
Then: Jack Johnson was the first black heavyweight champion in 1912. The "Galveston Giant" won the belt in 1908 and held on to it until 1915. In his only fight in 1912, he defeated Jim Flynn by TKO in the 9th round. Now: Klitschko, aka Dr. Ironfist, has held the belt since 2008, and most recently defended his title in February when he defeated Dereck Chisora by unanimous decision.
Anthony Wilding/Novak Djokovic
Then: Wilding won the 1911 Wimbledon Championship by defeating Herbert Barrett after Barrett retired in the fifth set. Wilding won every Wimbledon from 1910-1913. Now: Djokovic will be looking to claim his second Wimbledon crown after he defeated Roger Federer in four sets in 2011.
Philadelphia Athletics/St. Louis Cardinals
Then: The A's defeated the New York Giants 4-2, winning the 1911 World Series. The series featured nine eventual Hall of Famers, including Connie Mack and Christy Mathewson. Now: The St. Louis Cardinals concluded their improbable late season surge by capturing the 2011 World Series. It might be best remembered as the last time Cardinals fans would get to see their beloved Albert Pujols in Cardinal red.
Princeton/Alabama
Then: The Princeton Tigers finished the 1911 season with a record of 8-0-2, giving up a stingy 15 points all season to their opponents. Now: Alabama will be looking to defend their 2011 BCS National Championship Title this season. They blanked LSU 21-0 in January, winning their second title since 2009.
Ray Harroun/Dan Wheldon
Then: Harroun won the 1911 Indy 500 with a time of 6:42, winning the race by over a minute He collected $14,250 in price money. Now: In 2011, Dan Wheldon raced to victory in just under three hours, becoming the 18th driver to win the event at least twice. He took home a cool $2.5 million for his efforts, but tragically passed away following a crash in a race later in the year.
Johnny McDermott/Rory McIlroy
Then: McDermott became the first American to win the U.S. Open in 1911. He was also the youngest, as he was 19 years old at the time. Now: Rory McIlroy won the 2011 U.S. Open shooting 16-under par, doubling the second place finisher.
Bradford City/Manchester City
Then: In England's oldest soccer competition (it dates back to 1872), Bradford City beat Newcastle United 1-0 in front of 58,00 fans. Jimmy Speirs scored in the 15th minute to secure Bradford City England's most prestigious trophy. Now: Manchester City beat Stoke City 1-0 on a Yaya Toure goal in 2011. It was their fifth FA Cup trophy, with the last coming in 1969.
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