Armin Hary facts for kids
Armin Hary 1960
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Quick facts for kids Personal information |
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| Born | 22 March 1937 (age 88) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.82 m | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 71 kg | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Sport | Sprint running | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Achievements and titles | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal best(s) | 100 m: 10.0 (1960) 200 m: 20.5 400 m: 50.6 |
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Medal record
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Armin Hary (born March 22, 1937) is a famous German sprinter. He is known for winning the 100-meter race at the 1960 Olympic Games. This was a big achievement because he was the first non-American to win this event since 1928.
Armin Hary was also the first person ever to run the 100 meters in exactly 10.0 seconds. He is the only German athlete to win the Olympic 100-meter dash. His speed and unique running style made him a legend in track and field.
Contents
Early Life and First Wins
Armin Hary loved playing soccer when he was a kid. But at age 14, he decided to try sprinting instead. It turned out to be a great choice!
Just a few years later, in 1958, he won his first big international titles. He took home gold medals in both the 100 meters and the 4 × 100 meters relay at the European Championships.
In 1958, Armin Hary seemed to set a new world record with a time of 10.0 seconds. However, the running track was a little too sloped. The rules say the slope can't be more than 10 centimeters (about 4 inches). His track was 11 centimeters (about 4.3 inches) sloped, so the record didn't count.
Setting a World Record
On June 21, 1960, Armin Hary made history in Zurich, Switzerland. He ran the 100 meters in an amazing 10.0 seconds. This was a brand new world record!
The judges were so surprised by his speed that they thought he must have started too early. They made him run the race again. But just 35 minutes later, Hary ran another incredible 10.0 seconds. This proved his speed was real.
Olympic Games in Rome (1960)
The 1960 Olympic Games in Rome were Armin Hary's biggest moment. In the 100-meter final, there were many false starts, making everyone nervous. Finally, all six runners started together.
Armin Hary was incredibly fast right from the start. Within two steps, he was already ahead. By the halfway point, he had a two-meter lead! Even though another runner, Dave Sime, tried to catch up, Hary crossed the finish line first. He won the gold medal in the 100 meters with a time of 10.2 seconds. It was an amazing display of sprinting.
Hary also won a second gold medal at the Rome Olympics. He was part of the German 4 × 100 meters relay team. The United States team was disqualified for a mistake during their baton pass. Germany's team finished in 39.5 seconds, which matched their own world record.
The Fastest Starter
Armin Hary was famous for his incredibly fast starts. He reacted to the starting gun quicker than almost anyone else. People sometimes thought he was starting before the gun even fired!
Because of his amazing reaction time, he was often tested. Scientists used special high-speed cameras to study his starts. They found that his reaction time was an astonishing 0.04 seconds. Most people react in about 0.132 seconds. This showed he had truly extraordinary reflexes.
The international rules for false starts are now based on this. The rule says if a runner reacts faster than 0.100 seconds, it's considered a false start. This is because no human, except for Hary, has ever been able to react faster than that to the sound of the gun.
His incredible starts earned him the nickname "Thief of Starts."
Sponsors and Shoes
Armin Hary was also one of the first athletes to be involved in the big competition between sports brands. The two main companies, Adidas and Puma, both wanted the "world's fastest man" to wear their shoes at the 1960 Olympics. This put Hary right in the middle of a famous rivalry between the two companies, which were started by brothers.
During this time, Hary realized that neither company's contract said he could only work with them. So, without telling either company, he signed deals with both! He wore Puma shoes when he ran and won his 100-meter final. But when he stood on the victory stand to get his gold medal, he wore Adidas shoes.
End of His Career
In the early 1960s, Armin Hary had to stop sprinting. He was in a serious car accident and suffered injuries that ended his athletic career.
Awards and Honors
Armin Hary received many awards and honors for his amazing achievements:
- In 1960, he received a special medal from Emperor Hirohito of Japan. This medal was promised to the first person to run 100 meters in 10 seconds.
- In 2000, he was named "Runner of the Century."
- Also in 2000, he was honored as "Athlete of the Century."
- In 2008, he received the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. This is a very high honor in Germany.
- In 2010, a street was named after him.
- In 2011, he was inducted into the German Sports Hall of Fame.
Images for kids
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100 m final in the 1960 Olympics. Hary is on the far left in Lane 6.
See also
In Spanish: Armin Hary para niños
