On the basis of a historical study of two sport events, the athletics 100 metres race and the cycling hour record, the authors try to understand the mechanisms of formation of modern great athletic figures. Owing to most recent advances in track coating and sportswear technology and to the absolute timing accuracy (zero gap) athletes achievements are often so close that it is difficult and even impossible to decide between competitors. So, what finally discriminates them is the mythical value spectators attach to their achievements : these have got a magic value. Their hierarchization has thus a symbolic meaning : the desire to return to the Nature Man and the fascination for the Machine Man.