First Man in Under Ten Seconds: Jim Haynes dies

Jim Haynes at the finish line in the 100-meter relay at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics.
Image Alliance / Associated Press

The world of athletics mourns one of its greatest icons: As the World Association of Athletics Federations (WA) announced on Monday, Jim Haynes passed away on Saturday.

Hines, born in Arkansas on September 10, 1946, became the first person to break the ten-second mark over the 100 meters at the United States Trials on June 20, 1968 in a manual time of 9.9 seconds. Although a time of 10.03 seconds was recorded electronically, electronic verification was only required to confirm records from 1977 onwards.

No men’s world record in the 100 meters has lasted longer than Heinz

Four months later at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico, it was time: Heinz won the final over 100 meters in an electronic time of 9.95 seconds. This official world record has stood for 15 years, longer than any other men’s 100-meter world record in the era of all-electronic timing. Only in 1983 was American Calvin Smith faster by two hundredths of a second at 9.93 seconds.

Hines was also an Olympic champion in the US 4x100m relay in Mexico City, and also captured a number of national titles. Shortly after the Olympics in Mexico City, he finished his athletics career and began his career in the NFL. He played ten games for the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs between 1968 and 1970 – but he couldn’t make a great impression as a wide receiver. After retiring from the sport for good, Hines worked as a youth worker in Houston.