Calvin SMITH

Calvin Smith was a sprinter who won a gold medal in the 4×100 relay at the 1984 Olympics and a bronze medal in the 100 metres at the 1988 Olympics. In July 1983 Smith won the US Olympic Festival in 9.93 seconds to better the world record of 9.95 set by Jim Hines at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. He ran at the 1983 World Championships, winning the 200 metres and the 4×100, and taking a silver medal in the 100 behind Carl Lewis. In 1987 he defended his World title in the 200. In August 1983, at a meet in Zürich, Smith ran 9.97 for the 100 and 19.99 for the 200 on the same evening, the first runner to better 10 and 20 seconds for the two sprints on the same day, which would not be done again for 13 years.

Smith ran for the University of Alabama, but he did not reach his peak until after college. His son, Calvin Smith, Jr., also became a top sprinter, mostly in the 200 and 400, running at the University of Florida.

Personal Best: 100 – 9.93 (1983).