4 x 100 metres relay
Encyclopedia
The 4 × 100 metres relay or sprint relay
is an athletics track
event run in lanes over one lap of the track with four runners completing 100 metres each. The first runners begin in the same stagger as for the individual 400 m
race. A relay baton is carried by each runner and must be passed within a 20 m changeover box (usually marked by yellow lines) which extends 10 m on either side of each 100 m mark of the race. Another line is marked 10 m further back, marking the earliest point at which the outgoing runner may begin (giving up to 10 m of acceleration before entering the passing zone).
Transferring of the baton in this race is typically blind. The outgoing runner reaches a straight arm backwards when they enter the changeover box, or when the incoming runner makes a verbal signal. The outgoing runner does not look backwards, and it is the responsibility of the incoming runner to thrust the baton into the outstretched hand, and not let go until the outgoing runner takes hold of it. Runners on the first and third legs typically run on the inside of the lane with the baton in their right hand, while runners on the second and fourth legs take the baton in their left. Polished handovers can compensate for a lack of basic speed to some extent, and disqualification for dropping the baton or failing to transfer it within the box is common, even at the highest level.
The United States
has traditionally dominated this event in the men's, being the first to run it under 38 seconds. Carl Lewis
ran the anchor leg
on five U.S relay teams that broke the World Record from 1983–92.
The current men's world record stands at 37.04 seconds as set by the Jamaica
n team at the 2011 World Championships
. The fastest electronically timed anchor leg run is 8.70 seconds by Asafa Powell
in the 2008 Beijing Olympic
final, though Bob Hayes
was hand-timed as running 8.5 seconds at the 1964 Tokyo Games
.
In the women's event, the United States was considered by many to be the strongest team after years of East German domination, but failed to make it to the finals in the 2008 Olympic Summer Games when they dropped the baton during the transfer from Torri Edwards
to Lauryn Williams
during the semifinals. Evelyn Ashford
ran on three consecutive Olympic gold medal winning teams 1984–92, and in 1984 final ran an anchor leg of 9.77 seconds, the fastest ever.
The women's world record stands at 41.37 seconds, set by East Germany in 1985.
1 The team of Mickey Grimes, Bernard Williams, Dennis Mitchell
and Tim Montgomery
originally won the 2001 championship in a time of 37.96, but were disqualified after Tim Montgomery admitting to drug use in 2005 as a result of the BALCO scandal.
1 The team of Kelli White
, Chryste Gaines
, Inger Miller
, and Marion Jones
originally won the 2001 championship in a time of 41.71, but were disqualified as a result of Kelli White admitting to steroid use in 2004.
Relay race
During a relay race, members of a team take turns running, orienteering, swimming, cross-country skiing, biathlon, or ice skating parts of a circuit or performing a certain action. Relay races take the form of professional races and amateur games...
is an athletics track
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
event run in lanes over one lap of the track with four runners completing 100 metres each. The first runners begin in the same stagger as for the individual 400 m
400 metres
The 400 metres, or 400 metre dash, is a common sprinting event in track and field competitions. It has been featured in the athletics programme at the Summer Olympics since 1896 . On a standard outdoor running track, it is exactly one lap around the track. Runners start in staggered positions and...
race. A relay baton is carried by each runner and must be passed within a 20 m changeover box (usually marked by yellow lines) which extends 10 m on either side of each 100 m mark of the race. Another line is marked 10 m further back, marking the earliest point at which the outgoing runner may begin (giving up to 10 m of acceleration before entering the passing zone).
Transferring of the baton in this race is typically blind. The outgoing runner reaches a straight arm backwards when they enter the changeover box, or when the incoming runner makes a verbal signal. The outgoing runner does not look backwards, and it is the responsibility of the incoming runner to thrust the baton into the outstretched hand, and not let go until the outgoing runner takes hold of it. Runners on the first and third legs typically run on the inside of the lane with the baton in their right hand, while runners on the second and fourth legs take the baton in their left. Polished handovers can compensate for a lack of basic speed to some extent, and disqualification for dropping the baton or failing to transfer it within the box is common, even at the highest level.
The United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
has traditionally dominated this event in the men's, being the first to run it under 38 seconds. Carl Lewis
Carl Lewis
Frederick Carlton "Carl" Lewis is an American former track and field athlete, who won 10 Olympic medals including 9 gold, and 10 World Championships medals, of which 8 were gold. His career spanned from 1979 when he first achieved a world ranking to 1996 when he last won an Olympic title and...
ran the anchor leg
Anchor leg
Anchor leg refers to the final position in a relay race. The term is commonly used with respect to relays in athletics. Typically, the anchor leg of a relay is given to the fastest or most experienced competitor on a team...
on five U.S relay teams that broke the World Record from 1983–92.
The current men's world record stands at 37.04 seconds as set by the Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
n team at the 2011 World Championships
2011 World Championships in Athletics
The 13th IAAF World Championships in Athletics was an international athletics competition that was held in Daegu, South Korea. It started on 27 August 2011 and finished on 4 September 2011....
. The fastest electronically timed anchor leg run is 8.70 seconds by Asafa Powell
Asafa Powell
Asafa Powell C.D is a Jamaican sprinter who specialises in the 100 metres. He held the 100 m world record between June 2005 and May 2008, with times of 9.77 and 9.74 seconds respectively. Powell has consistently broken the 10-second barrier in competition, with his personal best of...
in the 2008 Beijing Olympic
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
final, though Bob Hayes
Bob Hayes
Robert Lee "Bullet Bob" Hayes was an Olympic sprinter turned American football wide receiver in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys. An American track and field athlete, he was a two-sport stand-out in college in both track and football at Florida A&M University...
was hand-timed as running 8.5 seconds at the 1964 Tokyo Games
1964 Summer Olympics
The 1964 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVIII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held in Tokyo, Japan in 1964. Tokyo had been awarded with the organization of the 1940 Summer Olympics, but this honor was subsequently passed to Helsinki because of Japan's...
.
In the women's event, the United States was considered by many to be the strongest team after years of East German domination, but failed to make it to the finals in the 2008 Olympic Summer Games when they dropped the baton during the transfer from Torri Edwards
Torri Edwards
Torri Edwards is an American sprinter. She was a rising young star in 100 and 200 metres, winning an Olympic medal in 4×100 metres relay in 2000. In 2003 she won six medals in major international competitions, including one World Championship gold...
to Lauryn Williams
Lauryn Williams
Lauryn Williams is a track and field sprint athlete, competing internationally for the United States...
during the semifinals. Evelyn Ashford
Evelyn Ashford
Evelyn Ashford is a retired American athlete, the 1984 Olympic champion in the 100 m. She has run under the 11 second barrier over 30 times and was the first to run under 11 seconds in an Olympic Games.As a 19-year-old, Ashford finished 5th in the 100 m event at the 1976 Summer Olympics...
ran on three consecutive Olympic gold medal winning teams 1984–92, and in 1984 final ran an anchor leg of 9.77 seconds, the fastest ever.
The women's world record stands at 41.37 seconds, set by East Germany in 1985.
Men
- 2008 : (Nesta CarterNesta CarterNesta Carter O.D is a Jamaican sprinter, who specialises in the 100 metres event. In August 2010 he became only the fifth sprinter to ever run the 100 metres in less than 9.8 seconds....
, Michael FraterMichael FraterMichael Frater O.D is a sprinter who specialises in the 100 metres event. He won a silver medal at the 2005 World Championships and a gold medal at the 2003 Pan American Games for the event....
, Usain BoltUsain BoltThe Honourable Usain St. Leo Bolt, OJ, C.D. , is a Jamaican sprinter and a five-time World and three-time Olympic gold medalist. He is the world record and Olympic record holder in the 100 metres, the 200 metres and the 4×100 metres relay...
, Asafa PowellAsafa PowellAsafa Powell C.D is a Jamaican sprinter who specialises in the 100 metres. He held the 100 m world record between June 2005 and May 2008, with times of 9.77 and 9.74 seconds respectively. Powell has consistently broken the 10-second barrier in competition, with his personal best of...
) 37.10 WR - 2004 : (Jason GardenerJason GardenerJason Carl Gardener is a retired British sprint athlete, and former World Indoor Champion. Gardener was educated at Beechen Cliff School and the City of Bath College, and went on to graduate from Bath Spa University.-Athletics career:Gardener started his career at the World Junior Championships in...
, Darren CampbellDarren CampbellDarren Andrew Campbell MBE is a former English sprint athlete. He competed in the 100 metres and 200 metres, as well as the 4 × 100 metres relay...
, Marlon DevonishMarlon DevonishMarlon Ronald Devonish, MBE is an English sprint athlete.He is a member of the Coventry Godiva Harriers athletics club and is coached by Tony Lester. Early in his career he was successful at both 100 and 200 metre distances, winning English Schools and European Junior titles at both, but in recent...
, Mark Lewis-FrancisMark Lewis-FrancisMark Anthony Lewis-Francis is a British track and field athlete, specifically a sprinter, who specialises in the 100 metres. A renowned junior, his greatest sporting achievement at senior level has been to anchor the Great Britain and Northern Ireland 4 x 100 metres relay team to a shock gold...
) 38.07 - 2000 : (Jon DrummondJon DrummondJonathan A. Drummond is an American athlete, winner of gold medal in 4x100 m relay at the 2000 Summer Olympics....
, Bernard WilliamsBernard Williams (athlete)Bernard Rollen Williams, III is an American track and field athlete and winner of a gold medal in 4×100-meters relay at the 2000 Summer Olympics.- Biography :Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Bernard Williams won the 100 m at the 1999 Pan-American Games....
, Brian Lewis, Maurice GreeneMaurice Greene (athlete)Maurice Greene is a retired American track and field sprinter who specialized in the 100 meters and 200 meters. He is a former 100 m world record holder with a time of 9.79 seconds. During the height of his career he won four Olympic medals and was a five-time World Champion...
) 37.61 - 1996 : (Robert EsmieRobert EsmieRobert Esmie is a Canadian athlete, winner of the gold medal in the 4x100 m relay at the 1996 Summer Olympics....
, Glenroy GilbertGlenroy GilbertGlenroy John Gilbert is a Canadian former athlete, winner of gold medal in 4x100 m relay at the 1996 Summer Olympics....
, Bruny SurinBruny SurinBruny Surin is a Canadian athlete, winner of a gold medal in the 4x100 m relay at the 1996 Summer Olympics. In 2008 he was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame as part of the 1996 Summer Olympics 4x100 relay team.-Career:...
, Donovan BaileyDonovan BaileyDonovan Bailey is a retired Canadian sprinter, who once held the world record for the 100 metres race following his gold medal performance in the 1996 Olympic Games. He was the first Canadian to legally break the 10-second barrier in the 100 m...
) 37.69 CNR - 1992 : (Michael Marsh, Leroy BurrellLeroy BurrellLeroy Russel Burrell is a former American athlete who twice set the world record for the 100 meters sprint, setting a time of 9.90 seconds in June 1991. This was broken by Carl Lewis in September at the World Track and Field Championships. In that race, Burrell came in second, yet he...
, Dennis MitchellDennis MitchellDennis Allen Mitchell is a former American college and international track and field athlete, whose team won the gold medal in the 4 x 100 meters relay race at the 1992 Summer Olympics.- Athletic career :...
, Carl LewisCarl LewisFrederick Carlton "Carl" Lewis is an American former track and field athlete, who won 10 Olympic medals including 9 gold, and 10 World Championships medals, of which 8 were gold. His career spanned from 1979 when he first achieved a world ranking to 1996 when he last won an Olympic title and...
) 37.40 WR - 1988 : (Viktor Bryzhin, Vladimir KrylovVladimir KrylovVladimir Valentinovich Krylov is a former Soviet athlete. He was Soviet 100, 200 and 400 metres champion, and also Soviet indoor 200 metres in 1989....
, Vladimir Muravyov, Vitaliy Savin) 38.19 - 1984 : (Sam GraddySam GraddySamuel Louis Graddy III is a former American athlete and American football player, winner of gold medal in 4x100 m relay at the 1984 Summer Olympics....
, Ron Brown, Calvin SmithCalvin SmithCalvin Smith is a former sprint track and field athlete from the United States. He is a former World Record holder in the 100 metre sprint, and was twice World Champion over 200 metres...
, Carl LewisCarl LewisFrederick Carlton "Carl" Lewis is an American former track and field athlete, who won 10 Olympic medals including 9 gold, and 10 World Championships medals, of which 8 were gold. His career spanned from 1979 when he first achieved a world ranking to 1996 when he last won an Olympic title and...
) 37.83 WR - 1980 : (Vladimir Muravyov, Nikolay SidorovNikolay SidorovNikolay Aleksandrovich Sidorov is a former Soviet track and field athlete where he won the soviet 100 metre championships on 2 occasions, he was then the winner of the gold medal in the 4x100 m relay at the 1980 Summer Olympics....
, Andrey ProkofyevAndrey ProkofyevAndrey Vassilyevich Prokofyev is a former Soviet athlete, winner of a gold medal in the 4x100 m relay at the 1980 Summer Olympics.At the Moscow Olympics, Prokofyev was fourth in the 110 m hurdles and won the gold medal running the anchoring leg of the Soviet 4x100 m relay team...
, Aleksandr AksininAleksandr AksininAleksandr Timofeyevich Aksinin is a former Soviet athlete, winner of gold medal in 4x100 m relay at the 1980 Summer Olympics.Aleksandr Aksinin trained at Dynamo in Leningrad. At the 1976 Summer Olympics he won the bronze medal as a member of Soviet 4x100 m relay team. He won silver in 1975, bronze...
) 38.26 - 1976 : (Harvey GlanceHarvey GlanceHarvey Edward Glance is a former American track athlete, winner of gold medal in 4x100 m relay at the 1976 Summer Olympics....
, Johnny Jones, Millard HamptonMillard HamptonMillard Frank Hampton, Jr. is a former American athlete, winner of gold medal in 4x100 m relay and the individual silver medal in the 200 meters at the 1976 Summer Olympics....
, Steve Riddick) 38.33 - 1972 : (Larry BlackLarry BlackLarry Jeffery Black was an American athlete, winner of the gold medal in the 4 x 100 m relay and silver medal in the 200 m at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich....
, Robert TaylorRobert Taylor (athlete)Robert Taylor was a former American athlete, winner of gold medal in 4x100 m relay at the 1972 Summer Olympics. He is the father of NFL player Bobby Taylor....
, Gerald TinkerGerald TinkerGerald Alexander Tinker is a former track athlete and American football player, winner of gold medal in th 4 x 100 metres relay at the 1972 Summer Olympics.-Early years:...
, Eddie Hart) 38.19 WR - 1968 : (Charles Greene, Mel Pender, Ronnie Ray SmithRonnie Ray SmithRonald "Ronnie" Ray Smith is a former American athlete, winner of the gold medal in the 4×100 m relay at the 1968 Summer Olympics...
, Jim HinesJim HinesJames "Jim" Ray Hines is a former American track and field athlete, who held the 100 m world record for 15 years. He was the first sprinter to officially break the 10-second barrier in the 100 meters.-Track career:...
) 38.24 WR - 1964 : (Paul Drayton, Gerry Ashworth, Richard StebbinsRichard StebbinsRichard Vaughn Stebbins is a former American athlete, winner of gold medal in 4x100 m relay at the 1964 Summer Olympics....
, Robert HayesBob HayesRobert Lee "Bullet Bob" Hayes was an Olympic sprinter turned American football wide receiver in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys. An American track and field athlete, he was a two-sport stand-out in college in both track and football at Florida A&M University...
) 39.0 WR - 1960 : (Bernd CullmannBernd CullmannBernd Cullmann is a former West German athlete, winner of gold medal in 4×100 m relay at the 1960 Summer Olympics....
, Armin HaryArmin HaryArmin Hary is a German athlete. In 1960 he became the first non-American since 1928 to win the Olympic 100 metres.Born in Quierschied, Saarland, after playing football in his youth, Hary switched to sprinting at age 16...
, Walter MahlendorfWalter MahlendorfWalter Mahlendorf is a former West German athlete, winner of gold medal in 4x100 m relay at the 1960 Summer Olympics.Mahlendorf was born in Sarstedt....
, Martin LauerMartin LauerKarl Martin Lauer is a former West German athlete, winner of gold medal in 4x100 m relay at the 1960 Summer Olympics.Born in Cologne, Lauer was a German champion in 110 m hurdles from 1956 to 1960 and in decathlon in 1956....
) 39.5 EWR - 1956 : (Ira MurchisonIra MurchisonIra James Murchison was an American athlete, winner of the gold medal in 4x100 m relay at the 1956 Summer Olympics....
, Leamon KingLeamon KingLeamon King was an American athlete who jointly held the world record for the 100 metre sprint for men from 1956 to 1960....
, Thane BakerThane BakerWalter Thane Baker is a former American athlete and winner of the gold medal in the 4x100 m relay at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia, with a new world record of 39.5 seconds. At those Olympics Baker also won a silver medal in the 100-meter and a bronze in the 200-meter...
, Bobby Morrow) 39.5 WR - 1952 : (Dean Smith, Harrison DillardHarrison DillardWilliam Harrison Dillard is an American track and field athlete, only the second male so far to win Olympic titles in both sprinting and hurdling events. Dillard was born in Cleveland, Ohio, attended East Technical High School...
, Lindy RemiginoLindy RemiginoLindy John Remigino is an American track and field athlete, the 1952 Olympic 100 m champion.-Biography:Remigino was born in Elmhurst, Queens, New York in 1931...
, Andy StanfieldAndy StanfieldAndrew William Stanfield was an American sprinter and Olympic gold and silver medallist.-Biography:...
) 40.1 - 1948 : (Barney EwellBarney EwellHarold Norwood "Barney" Ewell was an American athlete, winner of one gold and two silver medals at the 1948 Summer Olympics....
, Lorenzo WrightLorenzo WrightLorenzo Christopher Wright was a Detroit native and star athlete at Miller High School and Wayne State University; Wright is renowned for his noteworthy accomplishments in the sport of track and field....
, Harrison DillardHarrison DillardWilliam Harrison Dillard is an American track and field athlete, only the second male so far to win Olympic titles in both sprinting and hurdling events. Dillard was born in Cleveland, Ohio, attended East Technical High School...
, Mel PattonMel PattonMelvin Emery "Mel" Patton is an American track and field athlete, who won two gold medals at the 1948 Summer Olympics.-Biography:...
) 40.6 - 1936 : (Jesse OwensJesse OwensJames Cleveland "Jesse" Owens was an American track and field athlete who specialized in the sprints and the long jump. He participated in the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany, where he achieved international fame by winning four gold medals: one each in the 100 meters, the 200 meters, the...
, Ralph MetcalfeRalph MetcalfeRalph Harold Metcalfe was an African-American athlete and politician who came second to Jesse Owens in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Metcalfe jointly held the world record for the 100 meter sprint. Metcalfe was known as the world’s fastest human from 1932 through 1934...
, Foy DraperFoy DraperFoy Draper was an American athlete, winner of gold medal in 4x100 m relay at the 1936 Summer Olympics...
, Frank WykoffFrank WykoffFrank Clifford Wyckoff was an American athlete, triple gold medal winner in 4x100 m relay at the Olympic Games....
) 39.8 WR - 1932 : (Bob Kiesel, Emmett ToppinoEmmett ToppinoMartin Emmett Toppino was an American athlete, winner of gold medal in 4x100 m relay at the 1932 Summer Olympics....
, Hector DyerHector DyerHector Monroe Dyer was an American athlete, winner of gold medal in 4x100 m relay at the 1932 Summer Olympics....
, Frank WykoffFrank WykoffFrank Clifford Wyckoff was an American athlete, triple gold medal winner in 4x100 m relay at the Olympic Games....
) 40.0 WR - 1928 : (Frank WykoffFrank WykoffFrank Clifford Wyckoff was an American athlete, triple gold medal winner in 4x100 m relay at the Olympic Games....
, James QuinnJames Quinn (athlete)James F. "Jimmy" Quinn was an American athlete, winner of gold medal in 4x100 m relay at the 1928 Summer Olympics.As a student of College of the Holy Cross, James Quinn won the IC4A title in 1928....
, Charles BorahCharles BorahCharles "Charley" Edward Borah was an American athlete, winner of gold medal in 4x100 m relay at the 1928 Summer Olympics....
, Henry RussellHenry Russell (athlete)Henry Argue "Hank" Russell was an American athlete, winner of the gold medal in the 4x100 m relay at the 1928 Summer Olympics....
) 41.0 EWR - 1924 : (Frank HusseyFrank HusseyFrancis Valentine Joseph "Frank" Hussey was an American athlete, winner of gold medal in 4x100 m relay at the 1924 Summer Olympics....
, Louis ClarkeLouis ClarkeLouis Alfred "Pinky" Clarke was an American athlete, winner of a gold medal in 4x100 m relay at the 1924 Summer Olympics.Clarke was Jewish, and was born in Statesville, North Carolina...
, Loren MurchisonLoren MurchisonLoren C. Murchison was an American athlete, double gold medal winner in 4x100 m relay at the Olympic Games....
, Alfred LeConeyAlfred LeConeyJeremiah Alfred Le Coney was an American athlete, winner of the gold medal in the 4x100 meter relay race at the 1924 Summer Olympics....
) 41.0 EWR (SF 41.0 WR) - 1920 : (Charles Paddock, Jackson ScholzJackson ScholzJackson Volney Scholz was an American track and field athlete who specialized in the sprint. In the 1920s, he became the first person to appear in an Olympic sprint final in three different Olympic Games...
, Loren MurchisonLoren MurchisonLoren C. Murchison was an American athlete, double gold medal winner in 4x100 m relay at the Olympic Games....
, Morris KirkseyMorris KirkseyMorris Marshall Kirksey was an American track and field athlete and rugby union footballer who won two gold medals at the 1920 Summer Olympics...
) 42.2 WR - 1912 : (David Jacobs, Henry MacintoshHenry MacintoshHenry Maitland Macintosh was a Scottish athlete, winner of gold medal in 4 x 100 m relay at the 1912 Summer Olympics....
, Victor d'ArcyVictor d'ArcyVictor Henry Augustus "Vic" d'Arcy was a British athlete, winner of gold medal in 4x100 m relay at the 1912 Summer Olympics....
, Willie Applegarth) 42.4 (QR 42.3 WR)
Women
- 2008 : (Evgeniya Polyakova, Aleksandra FedorivaAleksandra FedorivaAleksandra Andreyevna Fedoriva is a Russian athlete.Fedoriva represented Russia at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing competing at the 4x100 metres relay, together with Yuliya Chermoshanskaya, Yulia Gushchina and Yevgeniya Polyakova. In their first round heat they placed second behind Jamaica,...
, Yulia Gushchina, Yuliya ChermoshanskayaYuliya ChermoshanskayaYuliya Igorevna Chermoshanskaya is a Russian athlete and daughter of Galina Malchugina.Chermoshanskaya represented Russia at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing competing at the 4x100 metres relay, together with Aleksandra Fedoriva, Yulia Gushchina and Yevgeniya Polyakova...
) 42.31 - 2004 : (Aleen BaileyAleen BaileyAleen Bailey is a track and field sprint specialist, competing internationally for Jamaica. She competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics and won the gold medal as a member of the 4 x 100 m relay team...
, Veronica CampbellVeronica CampbellVeronica Campbell-Brown C.D is a track and field sprint athlete, competing internationally for Jamaica. A five-time Olympic medallist, she is the reigning World and Olympic 200 metres champion...
, Tayna LawrenceTayna LawrenceTayna Lawrence is a Track and Field sprint athlete, competing internationally for Jamaica. She is an Olympic gold medalist in the 4 x 100 meter relay race....
, Sherone SimpsonSherone SimpsonSherone Simpson is a track and field sprint athlete, competing internationally for Jamaica. She is a gold medalist in the 4 x 100 meter relay from the 2004 Olympics and silver medalist in 2005 World Championships and now is the silver medalist in the individual event at the 2008 Summer Olympics...
) 41.73 - 2000 : (Savatheda Fynes, Chandra SturrupChandra SturrupChandra Sturrup is a Bahamian track and field sprint athlete. She is a 100 m specialist and the Bahamian national record holder for the women's 100 meter dash with a personal best of 10.84 seconds set in Lausanne, Switzerland on July 5, 2005...
, Pauline Davis-Thompson, Debbie FergusonDebbie FergusonDebbie Ferguson-McKenzie is a Bahamian sprint athlete who specialises in the 100 and 200 metres. She had her first major successes with the Bahamian 4×100 metres relay team, winning gold at the Pan American Games and World Championships in Athletics in 1999, and taking another gold at the Olympic...
) 41.95 - 1996 : (Chryste GainesChryste GainesChryste Dionne Gaines is an American athlete who competed mainly in the 100 metres....
, Gail DeversGail DeversYolanda Gail Devers is a retired three-time Olympic champion in track and field for the US Olympic Team. Devers was born in Seattle, Washington, and grew up near National City, California and graduated from Sweetwater High School in 1984...
, Inger MillerInger MillerInger Miller is a track and field sprint athlete, competing internationally for United States. She is the daughter of Lennox Miller, an Olympic champion runner from Jamaica....
, Gwen TorrenceGwen TorrenceGwen Torrence is a retired American sprinter and Olympic gold medalist. She was born in Decatur, GA. She attended Columbia High School and the University of Georgia....
) 41.95 - 1992 : (Evelyn AshfordEvelyn AshfordEvelyn Ashford is a retired American athlete, the 1984 Olympic champion in the 100 m. She has run under the 11 second barrier over 30 times and was the first to run under 11 seconds in an Olympic Games.As a 19-year-old, Ashford finished 5th in the 100 m event at the 1976 Summer Olympics...
, Esther JonesEsther JonesEsther Jones is a former sprinter who won an Olympic gold medal in 4 x 100 metres relay in Barcelona 1992. -References:-External links:...
, Carlette Guidry, Gwen TorrenceGwen TorrenceGwen Torrence is a retired American sprinter and Olympic gold medalist. She was born in Decatur, GA. She attended Columbia High School and the University of Georgia....
) 42.11 - 1988 : (Alice BrownAlice Brown (athlete)Alice Regina Brown is a retired American sprinter. She was a silver medalist in the 1984 Olympic 100m final in a time of 11.13 seconds...
, Sheila EcholsSheila EcholsSheila Ann Echols is a retired track and field athlete from the United States, who won the gold medal in the 4 x 100 metres relay at the 1988 Summer Olympics held in Seoul, South Korea, alongside team mates Alice Brown, 100 m gold medalist Florence Griffith Joyner and 100 m silver medalist Evelyn...
, Florence Griffith-JoynerFlorence Griffith-JoynerFlorence Griffith-Joyner , also known as Flo-Jo was an American track and field athlete. She is considered the "fastest woman of all time" based on the fact that she still holds the world record for both the 100 metres and 200 metres, both set in 1988 and never seriously challenged...
, Evelyn AshfordEvelyn AshfordEvelyn Ashford is a retired American athlete, the 1984 Olympic champion in the 100 m. She has run under the 11 second barrier over 30 times and was the first to run under 11 seconds in an Olympic Games.As a 19-year-old, Ashford finished 5th in the 100 m event at the 1976 Summer Olympics...
) 41.98 - 1984 : (Alice BrownAlice Brown (athlete)Alice Regina Brown is a retired American sprinter. She was a silver medalist in the 1984 Olympic 100m final in a time of 11.13 seconds...
, Jeanette BoldenJeanette BoldenJeanette Bolden . is a former Olympian athlete who competed mainly in the 100 metres.She competed for the United States in the 1984 Summer Olympics held in Los Angeles, U.S. in the 4 x 100 metres where she won the gold medal with her team mates 100 metre silver medalist Alice Brown, Chandra...
, Chandra CheeseboroughChandra CheeseboroughChandra Danette Cheeseborough is an American track and field athlete. Cheeseborough broke onto the international track scene at age 16 by winning two gold medals at the 1975 Pan American Games, taking the 200 m in an American record time of 22.77 seconds...
, Evelyn AshfordEvelyn AshfordEvelyn Ashford is a retired American athlete, the 1984 Olympic champion in the 100 m. She has run under the 11 second barrier over 30 times and was the first to run under 11 seconds in an Olympic Games.As a 19-year-old, Ashford finished 5th in the 100 m event at the 1976 Summer Olympics...
) 41.65 - 1980 : (Romy MüllerRomy MüllerRomy Müller is an East German athlete who competed mainly in the 100 metres and for the SC Dynamo Berlin and the Sportvereinigung Dynamo....
, Bärbel WöckelBärbel WöckelBärbel Wöckel, née Eckert is a retired East German sprinter who specialized in the 200 metres.She won four Olympic gold medals, two each in the 1976 and 1980 Olympics...
, Ingrid AuerswaldIngrid AuerswaldIngrid Lange, née Brestrich, divorced Auerswald is a retired German athlete, who competed mainly in the 100 metres....
, Marlies GöhrMarlies GöhrMarlies Göhr is a former East German athlete, the winner of the 100 m at the inaugural World Championships in 1983. She ranked in the top 10 of the 100 m world rankings for twelve straight years, ranking first in six of those years...
) 41.60 WR - 1976 : (Marlies OelsnerMarlies GöhrMarlies Göhr is a former East German athlete, the winner of the 100 m at the inaugural World Championships in 1983. She ranked in the top 10 of the 100 m world rankings for twelve straight years, ranking first in six of those years...
, Renate StecherRenate StecherRenate Stecher is a German athlete and a triple Olympic champion.Born as Renate Meißner, she was a very talented athlete, also competing in the high jump and pentathlon...
, Carla BodendorfCarla BodendorfCarla Bodendorf is a German athlete who competed mainly in the 100 metres sprint.She competed for East Germany in the 1976 Summer Olympics held in Montreal, Canada in the 4 x 100 metres where she won the gold medal with her team mates Marlies Oelsner, Olympic 100 and 200 metre champion Renate...
, Bärbel WöckelBärbel WöckelBärbel Wöckel, née Eckert is a retired East German sprinter who specialized in the 200 metres.She won four Olympic gold medals, two each in the 1976 and 1980 Olympics...
) 42.55 OR - 1972 : (Christiane KrauseChristiane KrauseChristiane Krause is a German athlete who competed mainly in the 100 metres.She competed for West Germany in the 1972 Summer Olympics held in Munich, Germany in the 4 x 100 metres where she won the gold medal with her team mates Ingrid Becker, Annegret Richter and Heide Rosendahl.-References:...
, Ingrid Mickler-BeckerIngrid BeckerIngrid Mickler-Becker is a former West German athlete and a double Olympic champion. Her name is sometimes written incorrectly as Ingrid Mickler in result lists....
, Annegret RichterAnnegret RichterAnnegret Richter is a German athlete and the 1976 Olympic 100 m champion....
, Heidemarie Rosendahl) 42.81 WR - 1968 : (Barbara FerrellBarbara FerrellBarbara Ann Ferrell is a former American athlete, who competed mainly in the 100 metres....
, Margaret BailesMargaret BailesMargaret Johnson Bailes is an American athlete who competed in the 100 and 200 meters.-Early life:Margaret Johnson Bailes was born in the Bronx...
, Mildrette NetterMildrette NetterMildrette Netter is an American athlete who competed mainly in the 100 meters.She competed for the United States in the 1968 Summer Olympics held in Mexico City, Mexico in the 4 x 100 meters where she won the gold medal with her teammates 100 meter silver medalist Barbara Ferrell, Margaret Bailes...
, Wyomia TyusWyomia TyusWyomia Tyus is an American athlete, and the first person to retain the Olympic title in the 100 m....
) 42.88 WR - 1964 : (Teresa Ciepły, Irena Kirszenstein, Halina GóreckaHalina GóreckaHalina Górecka née Richter is a former Polish and German sprinter and a four-time olympian and an Olympic gold and bronze medal winner and a world record holder in women's 4x100 m relay...
, Ewa Kłobukowska) 43.6 WR - 1960 : (Martha HudsonMartha HudsonMartha B. Hudson Pennyman is a former American athlete, who mainly competed in the 100 meters. She was born in Eastman, Georgia and attended Tennessee State University....
, Lucinda WilliamsLucinda WilliamsLucinda Williams is an American rock, folk, blues and country music singer and songwriter. She recorded her first albums in 1978 and 1980 in a traditional country and blues style and received very little attention from radio, the media, or the public. In 1988, she released her self-titled album,...
, Barbara Jones, Wilma RudolphWilma RudolphWilma Glodean Rudolph was an American athlete. Rudolph was considered the fastest woman in the world in the 1960s and competed in two Olympic Games, in 1956 and in 1960....
) 44.5 (SF 44.4 WR) - 1956 : (Shirley Strickland de la HuntyShirley StricklandShirley Barbara Strickland AO, MBE , later Shirley de la Hunty, was an Australian athlete. She won more Olympic medals than any other Australian in running sports.-Family:...
, Norma CrokerNorma CrokerNorma Croker Fleming is a former Australian sprinter.At the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia, she placed 4th in the individual 200 metres race, but won the gold medal in 4 x 100 metres relay, together with Shirley Strickland, Fleur Mellor and Betty Cuthbert...
, Fleur MellorFleur MellorFleur Mellor is an Australian athlete and olympic champion. She competed at the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne, where she received a gold medal in 4 x 100 m relay, with Shirley Strickland de la Hunty, Norma Croker and Betty Cuthbert. Their winning time was new world record.-References:...
, Elizabeth CuthbertBetty CuthbertElizabeth Cuthbert AM, MBE is an Australian athlete, and a fourfold Olympic champion....
) 44.5 WR - 1952 : (Mae FaggsMae FaggsHeriwentha Faggs Starr1 was an American athlete who mainly competed in the sprint events. She graduated from Bayside High School, and then went to Tennessee State University to run under Hall of Fame coach Ed Temple, one of the first U.S...
, Barbara Jones, Janet MoreauJanet MoreauJanet Teresa Moreau is an American athlete who competed mainly in the 100 meters.She competed for the United States in the 1952 Summer Olympics held in Helsinki, Finland in the 4 x 100 meters where she won the Gold medal with her teammates Mae Faggs, Barbara Jones and Catherine Hardy.- External...
, Catherine HardyCatherine HardyCatherine Hardy Lavender is an African-American athlete who competed mainly in the 100 meters. She won an Olympic gold medal in the 4 x 100 metres relay at the 1952 Olympic Summer Games in Helsinki, Finland...
) 45.9 WR - 1948 : (Xenia Stad-de JongXenia Stad-de JongXenia Stad-de Jong is a former Dutch athlete.Born Xenia de Jong in Semarang , her greatest success was winning the gold medal as the first runner in the 4 x 100 metres relay at the 1948 Summer Olympics, together with Netty Witziers-Timmer, Gerda van der Kade-Koudijs and Fanny Blankers-Koen...
, Netty Witziers-TimmerNetty Witziers-TimmerJeannette Josephina Maria Witziers-Timmer was a Dutch athlete.Born Jeannette Josephina Maria Timmer in Amsterdam her greatest success was when she won the gold medal in the 4 x 100 metres relay at the 1948 Summer Olympics, together with Xenia Stad-de Jong, Gerda van der Kade-Koudijs and Fanny...
, Gerda van der Kade-KoudijsGerda van der Kade-KoudijsGerda Johanna Marie van der Kade-Koudijs is a former Dutch athlete.Born Gerda Koudijs in Rotterdam, her greatest success was winning the gold medal in the 4 x 100 m relay at the 1948 Summer Olympics, together with Xenia Stad-de Jong, Netty Witziers-Timmer, and Fanny Blankers-Koen...
, Fanny Blankers-KoenFanny Blankers-KoenFrancina "Fanny" Elsje Blankers-Koen was a Dutch athlete, best known for winning four gold medals at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London. She accomplished this as a 30 year old mother of two, during a time when many disregarded women's athletics...
) 47.5 - 1936 : (Harriet BlandHarriet BlandHarriet Claiborne Bland was an American athlete who competed mainly in the 100 metres.She competed for the United States in the 1936 Summer Olympics held in Berlin, Germany in the 4 x 100 metres where she won the gold medal with her team mates Annette Rogers, Betty Robinson and Helen Stephens who...
, Annette RogersAnnette RogersAnnette Rogers Kelly was an American sprinter who competed mainly in the 100 metres.She was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts and graduated from the Northwestern University....
, Elizabeth RobinsonBetty RobinsonElizabeth Robinson , later Elizabeth R. Schwartz was an American athlete and winner of the first Olympic 100 m for women....
, Helen StephensHelen StephensHelen Herring Stephens was an American athlete, a double Olympic champion in 1936.Stephens, nicknamed the 'Fulton Flash' after her birthplace Fulton, Missouri, was a strong athlete in sprint events - she never lost a race in her entire career - but also in weight events like the shot put and...
) 46.9 (R1 46.5 WR) - 1932 : (Mary CarewMary CarewMary Louise Carew Armstrong was an American athlete who competed in the sprints. She was born in Medford, Massachusetts....
, Evelyn FurtschEvelyn FurtschEvelyn Furtsch is a former American athlete.Furtsch was awarded a gold medal in the 4 x 100 metres relay with teammates Mary Carew, Annette Rogers and Wilhelmina von Bremen at the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles....
, Annette RogersAnnette RogersAnnette Rogers Kelly was an American sprinter who competed mainly in the 100 metres.She was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts and graduated from the Northwestern University....
, Wilhelmina von BremenWilhelmina von BremenWilhelmina von Bremen was an American athlete who competed mainly in the 100 meters.She competed for the United States in the 1932 Summer Olympics held in Los Angeles, USA in the 100 meters where she finished third, she then joined with teammates Mary Carew, Evelyn Furtsch and Annette Rogers to...
) 46.9 WR - 1928 : (Fanny Rosenfeld, Ethel SmithEthel Smith (athlete)Ethel M. Smith was a sprinter from Canada and is most known for winning a bronze medal in the 100 m at the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam, Netherlands. In the same games she helped the Canadian national team win the 4 x 100 m relay....
, Jane Bell, Myrtle CookMyrtle CookCompetitor for CanadaMyrtle Alice Cook was a Canadian athlete who competed mainly in the 100 metres.-Career:...
) 48.4 WR
Men
- 2011: (Nesta CarterNesta CarterNesta Carter O.D is a Jamaican sprinter, who specialises in the 100 metres event. In August 2010 he became only the fifth sprinter to ever run the 100 metres in less than 9.8 seconds....
, Michael FraterMichael FraterMichael Frater O.D is a sprinter who specialises in the 100 metres event. He won a silver medal at the 2005 World Championships and a gold medal at the 2003 Pan American Games for the event....
, Yohan BlakeYohan BlakeYohan Blake is a Jamaican sprinter and the current 100 metre World Champion. He holds the national junior record for the 100 metres, and tied Seun Ogunkoya as the youngest sprinter to have broken the 10-second barrier...
, Usain BoltUsain BoltThe Honourable Usain St. Leo Bolt, OJ, C.D. , is a Jamaican sprinter and a five-time World and three-time Olympic gold medalist. He is the world record and Olympic record holder in the 100 metres, the 200 metres and the 4×100 metres relay...
) 37.04 WR - 2009: (Steve MullingsSteve MullingsSteve Mullings was a sprint athlete who specialized in the 100 and 200 metres events.Mullings began his international athletics career with a bronze medal win in the 100 m at the Pan American Junior Championships...
, Michael FraterMichael FraterMichael Frater O.D is a sprinter who specialises in the 100 metres event. He won a silver medal at the 2005 World Championships and a gold medal at the 2003 Pan American Games for the event....
, Usain BoltUsain BoltThe Honourable Usain St. Leo Bolt, OJ, C.D. , is a Jamaican sprinter and a five-time World and three-time Olympic gold medalist. He is the world record and Olympic record holder in the 100 metres, the 200 metres and the 4×100 metres relay...
, Asafa PowellAsafa PowellAsafa Powell C.D is a Jamaican sprinter who specialises in the 100 metres. He held the 100 m world record between June 2005 and May 2008, with times of 9.77 and 9.74 seconds respectively. Powell has consistently broken the 10-second barrier in competition, with his personal best of...
) 37.31 CR - 2007: (Darvis PattonDarvis PattonDarvis "Doc" Darell Patton is an American sprint athlete. He was the US Champion and World silver medallist over 200 meters in 2003...
, Wallace SpearmonWallace SpearmonWallace Spearmon, Jr., is a sprint athlete, who specializes in the 200 meters. He is a two-time NCAA outdoor champion in the 200 m and won the silver medal in the event at the 2005 World Championships in Athletics...
, Tyson GayTyson GayTyson Gay is an American track and field sprinter. His primary events are the 100 meters and 200 meters. His personal bests establish him as the second fastest athlete in the 100 meters and the fifth fastest athlete in the history of the 200 meters, with times of 9.69 and...
, LeRoy DixonLeroy DixonLeroy Dixon is an American sprinter who specializes in the 100 metres.He won the gold medal in 4 x 100 metres relay at the 2007 World Championships, together with Darvis Patton, Wallace Spearmon and Tyson Gay...
) 37.78 - 2005: (Ladji DoucouréLadji DoucouréLadji Doucouré is a French athlete of Malian and Senegalese descent. He was a football player and decathlete before specializing in hurdling.-Career:...
, Ronald PognonRonald PognonRonald Pognon is a French sprint athlete. He originally specialized in the 200 metres, but later shifted to the shorter sprint distances...
, Eddy De LépineEddy De LépineEddy De Lépine is a French sprinter. Together with Ladji Doucouré, Ronald Pognon, and Lueyi Dovy, he won a gold medal in 4 x 100 metres relay at the 2005 World Championships in Athletics....
, Lueyi DovyLueyi DovyLueyi Dovy is a French sprinter of Gabonese descent. Together with Ladji Doucouré, Ronald Pognon and Eddy De Lépine he won a gold medal in 4 x 100 metres relay at the 2005 World Championships in Athletics.-External links:...
) 38.08 - 2003: (John CapelJohn CapelJohn Capel, Jr. is an American track and field athlete who was a world champion sprinter. Capel played college football for the University of Florida, where he was also a member of the Florida Gators track and field team....
, Bernard WilliamsBernard Williams (athlete)Bernard Rollen Williams, III is an American track and field athlete and winner of a gold medal in 4×100-meters relay at the 2000 Summer Olympics.- Biography :Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Bernard Williams won the 100 m at the 1999 Pan-American Games....
, Darvis PattonDarvis PattonDarvis "Doc" Darell Patton is an American sprint athlete. He was the US Champion and World silver medallist over 200 meters in 2003...
, Joshua J. JohnsonJoshua J. JohnsonJoshua J. Johnson is an American sprinter who specialized in the 200 metres.-Achievements:-External links:*...
) 38.06 - 2001: (Morne NagelMorne NagelMorné Nagel is a South African sprinter. Together with Corne Du Plessis, Lee-Roy Newton and Matthew Quinn he won a gold medal in 4 x 100 metres relay at the 2001 World Championships in Athletics....
, Corne Du PlessisCorne Du PlessisCorne du Plessis is a South African sprinter. Together with Morne Nagel, Lee-Roy Newton and Matthew Quinn he won a silver medal in 4 x 100 metres relay at the 2001 World Championships in Athletics. Their time of 38.47 seconds was a South African record...
, Lee-Roy Newton, Matthew QuinnMatthew QuinnMathew Quinn is a South African sprinter. Together with Morne Nagel, Corne Du Plessis and Lee Roy Newton he won a silver medal in 4 x 100 metres relay at the 2001 World Championships in Athletics....
) 38.471 - 1999: (Jon DrummondJon DrummondJonathan A. Drummond is an American athlete, winner of gold medal in 4x100 m relay at the 2000 Summer Olympics....
, Tim MontgomeryTim MontgomeryTimothy Montgomery is a former American athlete. In 2005, he was stripped of his records – including a now void 100m world record of 9.78 seconds set in 2002 – after being found guilty of using performance-enhancing drugs...
, Brian Lewis, Maurice GreeneMaurice Greene (athlete)Maurice Greene is a retired American track and field sprinter who specialized in the 100 meters and 200 meters. He is a former 100 m world record holder with a time of 9.79 seconds. During the height of his career he won four Olympic medals and was a five-time World Champion...
) 37.59 - 1997: (Robert EsmieRobert EsmieRobert Esmie is a Canadian athlete, winner of the gold medal in the 4x100 m relay at the 1996 Summer Olympics....
, Glenroy GilbertGlenroy GilbertGlenroy John Gilbert is a Canadian former athlete, winner of gold medal in 4x100 m relay at the 1996 Summer Olympics....
, Bruny SurinBruny SurinBruny Surin is a Canadian athlete, winner of a gold medal in the 4x100 m relay at the 1996 Summer Olympics. In 2008 he was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame as part of the 1996 Summer Olympics 4x100 relay team.-Career:...
, Donovan BaileyDonovan BaileyDonovan Bailey is a retired Canadian sprinter, who once held the world record for the 100 metres race following his gold medal performance in the 1996 Olympic Games. He was the first Canadian to legally break the 10-second barrier in the 100 m...
) 37.86 - 1995: (Robert EsmieRobert EsmieRobert Esmie is a Canadian athlete, winner of the gold medal in the 4x100 m relay at the 1996 Summer Olympics....
, Glenroy GilbertGlenroy GilbertGlenroy John Gilbert is a Canadian former athlete, winner of gold medal in 4x100 m relay at the 1996 Summer Olympics....
, Bruny SurinBruny SurinBruny Surin is a Canadian athlete, winner of a gold medal in the 4x100 m relay at the 1996 Summer Olympics. In 2008 he was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame as part of the 1996 Summer Olympics 4x100 relay team.-Career:...
, Donovan BaileyDonovan BaileyDonovan Bailey is a retired Canadian sprinter, who once held the world record for the 100 metres race following his gold medal performance in the 1996 Olympic Games. He was the first Canadian to legally break the 10-second barrier in the 100 m...
) 38.31 - 1993: (Jon DrummondJon DrummondJonathan A. Drummond is an American athlete, winner of gold medal in 4x100 m relay at the 2000 Summer Olympics....
, Andre CasonAndre CasonAndre Cason is an American former sprinter. He was a member of the US 4 x 100 meters relay team that won the gold medal at the 1991 World Championships in Tokyo with a world record time of 37.50 seconds...
, Dennis MitchellDennis MitchellDennis Allen Mitchell is a former American college and international track and field athlete, whose team won the gold medal in the 4 x 100 meters relay race at the 1992 Summer Olympics.- Athletic career :...
, Leroy BurrellLeroy BurrellLeroy Russel Burrell is a former American athlete who twice set the world record for the 100 meters sprint, setting a time of 9.90 seconds in June 1991. This was broken by Carl Lewis in September at the World Track and Field Championships. In that race, Burrell came in second, yet he...
) 37.48 (SF 37.40 EWR) - 1991: (Andre CasonAndre CasonAndre Cason is an American former sprinter. He was a member of the US 4 x 100 meters relay team that won the gold medal at the 1991 World Championships in Tokyo with a world record time of 37.50 seconds...
, Leroy BurrellLeroy BurrellLeroy Russel Burrell is a former American athlete who twice set the world record for the 100 meters sprint, setting a time of 9.90 seconds in June 1991. This was broken by Carl Lewis in September at the World Track and Field Championships. In that race, Burrell came in second, yet he...
, Dennis MitchellDennis MitchellDennis Allen Mitchell is a former American college and international track and field athlete, whose team won the gold medal in the 4 x 100 meters relay race at the 1992 Summer Olympics.- Athletic career :...
, Carl LewisCarl LewisFrederick Carlton "Carl" Lewis is an American former track and field athlete, who won 10 Olympic medals including 9 gold, and 10 World Championships medals, of which 8 were gold. His career spanned from 1979 when he first achieved a world ranking to 1996 when he last won an Olympic title and...
) 37.50 WR - 1987: (Lee McRaeLee McRaeLee McRae in Pembroke, North Carolina) is a retired track and field athlete from the United States, who won the gold medal in the men's 100 metres at the 1987 Pan American Games...
, Lee McNeillLee McNeillLee McNeill is a retired American sprinter who specialized in the 100 metres.He won the gold medal in 4 x 100 metres relay at the 1987 World Championships, together with Lee McRae, Harvey Glance and Carl Lewis....
, Harvey GlanceHarvey GlanceHarvey Edward Glance is a former American track athlete, winner of gold medal in 4x100 m relay at the 1976 Summer Olympics....
, Carl LewisCarl LewisFrederick Carlton "Carl" Lewis is an American former track and field athlete, who won 10 Olympic medals including 9 gold, and 10 World Championships medals, of which 8 were gold. His career spanned from 1979 when he first achieved a world ranking to 1996 when he last won an Olympic title and...
) 37.90 - 1983: (Emmit KingEmmit KingEmmit King is a retired track and field sprinter from the United States, who twice was a member of the American Relay Team for the Summer Olympics but he didn't compete. He is best known for winning the bronze medal at the inaugural 1983 World Championships in the men's 100 metres...
, Willie GaultWillie GaultWillie James Gault is a former American football wide receiver and Olympic athlete. Gault played in the National Football League for 11 seasons for the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Raiders. He was a member of the Bears team that won Super Bowl XX, and was also a member of the U.S. Olympic team...
, Calvin SmithCalvin SmithCalvin Smith is a former sprint track and field athlete from the United States. He is a former World Record holder in the 100 metre sprint, and was twice World Champion over 200 metres...
, Carl LewisCarl LewisFrederick Carlton "Carl" Lewis is an American former track and field athlete, who won 10 Olympic medals including 9 gold, and 10 World Championships medals, of which 8 were gold. His career spanned from 1979 when he first achieved a world ranking to 1996 when he last won an Olympic title and...
) 37.86 WR
1 The team of Mickey Grimes, Bernard Williams, Dennis Mitchell
Dennis Mitchell
Dennis Allen Mitchell is a former American college and international track and field athlete, whose team won the gold medal in the 4 x 100 meters relay race at the 1992 Summer Olympics.- Athletic career :...
and Tim Montgomery
Tim Montgomery
Timothy Montgomery is a former American athlete. In 2005, he was stripped of his records – including a now void 100m world record of 9.78 seconds set in 2002 – after being found guilty of using performance-enhancing drugs...
originally won the 2001 championship in a time of 37.96, but were disqualified after Tim Montgomery admitting to drug use in 2005 as a result of the BALCO scandal.
Women
- 2011: (Bianca KnightBianca KnightBianca Knight is an American track and field athlete, who competes in the 100 and 200 metres.-Career:She attended Ridgeland High School in Ridgeland, MS and won the female Gatorade Athlete of the Year in track & field in 2006...
, Allyson FelixAllyson FelixAllyson Felix is a track and field sprint athlete, who competes internationally for the United States, primarily in the 200 meters. She also competes at the 100 meters and the 400 meters distances...
, Marshevet Myers, Carmelita JeterCarmelita JeterCarmelita Jeter is an American sprinter who specializes in the 100 meters. She is the 2011 IAAF World Champion in the 100 metres.She won the 100 m bronze at the 2007 World Championships in Athletics and a gold at the World Athletics Final. she won a second World Championship bronze...
) 41.56 - 2009: (Simone FaceySimone FaceySimone Facey is a Jamaican sprinter who specializes in the 100 metres.Simone attended Vere Technical High School in Clarendon, Jamaica. At the 2002 World Junior Championships in Kingston, she won a silver medal in the 100m by running 11.43. She then came back and anchored Jamaica to a gold medal...
, Shelly Ann Fraser, Aleen BaileyAleen BaileyAleen Bailey is a track and field sprint specialist, competing internationally for Jamaica. She competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics and won the gold medal as a member of the 4 x 100 m relay team...
, Kerron StewartKerron StewartKerron Stewart is a Jamaican sprinter who specializes in the 100 metres and 200 metres. She is the 2008 Jamaican national champion in the 100 m clocking 10.80s. She defeated World Champion Veronica Campbell-Brown in the process and now is the 2008 Summer Olympics silver medalist after she...
) 42.06 - 2007: (Lauryn WilliamsLauryn WilliamsLauryn Williams is a track and field sprint athlete, competing internationally for the United States...
, Allyson FelixAllyson FelixAllyson Felix is a track and field sprint athlete, who competes internationally for the United States, primarily in the 200 meters. She also competes at the 100 meters and the 400 meters distances...
, Mikele BarberMikele BarberMikele Ronisse Barber is an American sprinter who won gold at the 4 x 100 meters relay event in 2007 World Championships in Athletics, in Osaka, Japan, and an individual gold medal at the 100 meters in 2007 Pan Am Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.She is the twin sister of Me'Lisa Barber, who has...
, Torri EdwardsTorri EdwardsTorri Edwards is an American sprinter. She was a rising young star in 100 and 200 metres, winning an Olympic medal in 4×100 metres relay in 2000. In 2003 she won six medals in major international competitions, including one World Championship gold...
) 41.98 - 2005: (Angela DaigleAngela DaigleAngela Daigle is an American sprinter, she graduated from Fresno in 1999. Together with Muna Lee, Me'Lisa Barber and Lauryn Williams she won a gold medal in 4 x 100 metres relay at the 2005 World Championships in Athletics.-External:...
, Muna Lee, Me'Lisa BarberMe'Lisa BarberMe'Lisa Barber is an American track and field sprint athlete.-Career:Barber won her first major international championships gold medal by running the lead leg on Team USA’s winning 4x400 m relay team at the 2003 World Outdoor Championships in Paris.She ran on the 2001 Team USA World University...
, Lauryn WilliamsLauryn WilliamsLauryn Williams is a track and field sprint athlete, competing internationally for the United States...
) 41.78 - 2003: (Patricia Girard-LénoPatricia Girard-LénoPatricia Girard is a French athlete who competed mainly in the 100 metre Hurdles....
, Muriel HurtisMuriel HurtisMuriel Hurtis-Houairi is a track and field athlete from France who specialises in the 200 metres. She came to prominence in 2002 when she won the 200 m gold medals at both the European Indoor Championships and the European Athletics Championships...
, Sylviane FélixSylviane FelixSylviane Felix is a track and field sprint athlete, competing internationally for France, who won the bronze medal in the 4x100m relay at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece....
, Christine Arron) 41.78 - 2001: (Melanie PaschkeMelanie PaschkeMelanie Paschke is a retired German sprinter who specialized in the 100 metres, 200 metres and 4x100 metres relay.Her personal best time in the 100 metres is 11.04 seconds, achieved in June 1995 in Bremen...
, Gaby Rockmeier, Birgit RockmeierBirgit RockmeierBirgit Rockmeier is a German sprinter who specializes in the 200 metres.Her personal best time is 22.90 seconds, achieved in July 2001 in Stuttgart. Since 1999 she represents the sports club LG Olympia Dortmund....
, Marion WagnerMarion WagnerMarion Wagner is a German sprinter who specializes in the 100 metres. Her personal best time is 11.31 seconds, achieved in July 2003 in Mals, . She represents the sports club USC Mainz....
) 42.321 - 1999: (Savatheda Fynes, Chandra SturrupChandra SturrupChandra Sturrup is a Bahamian track and field sprint athlete. She is a 100 m specialist and the Bahamian national record holder for the women's 100 meter dash with a personal best of 10.84 seconds set in Lausanne, Switzerland on July 5, 2005...
, Pauline Davis-Thompson, Debbie FergusonDebbie FergusonDebbie Ferguson-McKenzie is a Bahamian sprint athlete who specialises in the 100 and 200 metres. She had her first major successes with the Bahamian 4×100 metres relay team, winning gold at the Pan American Games and World Championships in Athletics in 1999, and taking another gold at the Olympic...
) 41.92 - 1997: (Chryste GainesChryste GainesChryste Dionne Gaines is an American athlete who competed mainly in the 100 metres....
, Marion JonesMarion JonesMarion Lois Jones , also known as Marion Jones-Thompson, is a former world champion track and field athlete, and a former professional basketball player for Tulsa Shock in the WNBA...
, Inger MillerInger MillerInger Miller is a track and field sprint athlete, competing internationally for United States. She is the daughter of Lennox Miller, an Olympic champion runner from Jamaica....
, Gail DeversGail DeversYolanda Gail Devers is a retired three-time Olympic champion in track and field for the US Olympic Team. Devers was born in Seattle, Washington, and grew up near National City, California and graduated from Sweetwater High School in 1984...
) 41.47 CR - 1995: (Celena Mondie-Milner, Carlette Guidry-WhiteCarlette Guidry-WhiteCarlette D. Guidry is a former American sprinter who won the Olympic gold medal of the 4 x 100 metres relay in 1992 in Barcelona and again in 1996 in Atlanta. She also competed in the individual 200m race in 1992 and 1996...
, Chryste GainesChryste GainesChryste Dionne Gaines is an American athlete who competed mainly in the 100 metres....
, Gwen TorrenceGwen TorrenceGwen Torrence is a retired American sprinter and Olympic gold medalist. She was born in Decatur, GA. She attended Columbia High School and the University of Georgia....
) 42.12 - 1993: (Olga BogoslovskayaOlga BogoslovskayaOlga Bogoslovskaya is a retired Russian athlete who competed mainly in the 100 metres. Today she is a sports journalist.She competed for the Unified Team at the age of 28 in the 1992 Summer Olympics held in Barcelona, Spain in the 4 x 100 metres with her team mates Galina Malchugina, Marina...
, Galina MalchuginaGalina MalchuginaGalina Malchugina is a retired sprinter from Russia. Competing for the Soviet relay team, she won medals at the 1988 and 1992 Olympics...
, Natalya Pomoshchnikova-Voronova, Irina PrivalovaIrina PrivalovaIrina Anatoljewna Privalova is a Russian athlete.She first competed in the sprint events, winning two Olympic medals in the 100 m and 200 m in 1992 whilst representing the Unified Team. Irina Privalova had been a formidable competitor during most of the 1990s but had not yet won an...
) 41.49 CR - 1991: (Dahlia DuhaneyDahlia DuhaneyDahlia Duhaney is a retired female sprinter from Jamaica, who competed for her native country at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. She won the world title in the women's 4x100m relay at the 1991 IAAF World Championships in Tokyo, Japan, alongside Juliet Cuthbert, Beverly McDonald and...
, Juliet CuthbertJuliet CuthbertJuliet Cuthbert is a Jamaican athlete who competed mainly in the sprints ....
, Beverly McDonaldBeverly McDonaldBeverly McDonald is a Jamaican sprinter. Her accomplishments include winning the silver medal in the 4x100m relay at the 2000 Olympics and the gold medal in the same event at the 2004 Olympics...
, Merlene OtteyMerlene OtteyMerlene Joyce Ottey , is a Jamaican-born Slovenian track athlete. Ottey began her career representing Jamaica, but since 2002, has represented Slovenia, where she now resides...
) 41.94 - 1987: (Alice BrownAlice Brown (athlete)Alice Regina Brown is a retired American sprinter. She was a silver medalist in the 1984 Olympic 100m final in a time of 11.13 seconds...
, Diane WilliamsDiane Williams (athlete)Diane Williams is a retired World class sprinter who ran 100 m and 4x100 m relays. She was born 14 December 1960 in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A...
, Florence Griffith-JoynerFlorence Griffith-JoynerFlorence Griffith-Joyner , also known as Flo-Jo was an American track and field athlete. She is considered the "fastest woman of all time" based on the fact that she still holds the world record for both the 100 metres and 200 metres, both set in 1988 and never seriously challenged...
, Pam MarshallPam MarshallPam Marshall is a retired US sprinter.-Career:Marshall competed in the 100 m, 200 m and 4x100 m Relay...
) 41.58 CR - 1983: (Silke Gladisch-Möller, Marita KochMarita KochMarita Koch , is a former sprint track and field athlete...
, Ingrid Auerswald-Lange, Marlies GöhrMarlies GöhrMarlies Göhr is a former East German athlete, the winner of the 100 m at the inaugural World Championships in 1983. She ranked in the top 10 of the 100 m world rankings for twelve straight years, ranking first in six of those years...
) 41.76
1 The team of Kelli White
Kelli White
Kelli White is an American former sprinter. She won two gold medals in the World Championships in Paris in 2003. However, on June 18, 2004, she was stripped of her medals, because she tested positive on a drug test. She admitted guilt and testified before the Court of Arbitration for Sport...
, Chryste Gaines
Chryste Gaines
Chryste Dionne Gaines is an American athlete who competed mainly in the 100 metres....
, Inger Miller
Inger Miller
Inger Miller is a track and field sprint athlete, competing internationally for United States. She is the daughter of Lennox Miller, an Olympic champion runner from Jamaica....
, and Marion Jones
Marion Jones
Marion Lois Jones , also known as Marion Jones-Thompson, is a former world champion track and field athlete, and a former professional basketball player for Tulsa Shock in the WNBA...
originally won the 2001 championship in a time of 41.71, but were disqualified as a result of Kelli White admitting to steroid use in 2004.
See also
- Men's 4 x 100 metres relay world record progressionMen's 4 x 100 metres relay world record progressionThe first world record in the 4 x 100 metres relay for men was recognized by the International Amateur Athletics Federation, now known as the International Association of Athletics Federations, in 1912....
- Women's 4 x 100 metres relay world record progression