Prior to 1976, race times were only kept to the tenth of a second. As of January 1, 1950 the world record in the 100 meter dash was 10.2 seconds and had been achieved by four athletes: Jesse Owens, Harold Davis, Lloyd LaBeach, and Barney Ewell.
Chat with our AI personalities
The men's world record in the 100 meter dash was set at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City by Jim Hines of the United States at a time of 9.95 seconds. The women's world record in the 100 meter dash was also set at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City by Wyomia Tyus of the United States at a time of 11.08 seconds.
Men: Usain Bolt of Jamaica - 9.69 seconds set at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
Women: Florence Griffith-Joyner of the United States - 10.49 seconds on July 16, 1988.