Calvin Smith facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Calvin Smith

Personal information
Nationality	American
Born	(1961-01-08) January 8, 1961 (age 64) Bolton, Mississippi
Height	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight	152 lb (69 kg)
Sport
Sport	Track and field
Event(s)	Sprints
College team	Alabama Crimson Tide
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)	100 m: 9.93 s (Colorado Springs, 1983) 200 m: 19.99 s (Zürich, 1983)
Medal record Men's athletics Representing the  United States Olympic Games Gold 1984 Los Angeles 4 × 100 m relay Bronze 1988 Seoul 100 m World Championships Gold 1983 Helsinki 200 m Gold 1983 Helsinki 4 × 100 m relay Gold 1987 Rome 200 m Silver 1983 Helsinki 100 m

Calvin Smith (born January 8, 1961) is a famous American track and field athlete. He was a top sprinter who once held the world record for the 100-meter race, finishing in an amazing 9.93 seconds in 1983. Calvin also won two World Championship gold medals in the 200-meter race, in 1983 and 1987. He became an Olympic champion in 1984 as part of the 4 × 100-meter relay team. Calvin Smith was born in Bolton, Mississippi.

Calvin Smith's Early Life and Career

Calvin Smith grew up in Bolton, Mississippi. He went to Sumner Hill High School in Clinton, Mississippi. After high school, he became a star athlete at the University of Alabama.

On July 3, 1983, Calvin made history at the U.S. Olympic Festival in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He set a new world record in the 100-meter dash, running it in just 9.93 seconds! This broke a record that had stood for nearly 15 years.

World Championships Success

In 1983, the very first World Championships were held. Calvin Smith won two gold medals there. He took first place in the 200-meter race. He also helped the U.S. team win gold in the 4 × 100-meter relay, setting another world record. He also earned a silver medal in the 100-meter race, finishing just behind Carl Lewis.

Later that year, in August 1983, Calvin achieved something special in Zürich, Switzerland. He became the first athlete ever to run the 100 meters in under 10 seconds (9.97 seconds) and the 200 meters in under 20 seconds (19.99 seconds) on the same evening!

Olympic Gold and More World Titles

At the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, Calvin Smith became an Olympic champion. He was part of the U.S. 4 × 100-meter relay team that won gold. They even set a new world record for that event!

Calvin continued his success at the 1987 World Championships. He successfully defended his 200-meter title, proving he was still the best.

The 1988 Seoul Olympics

The 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul had a very talked-about 100-meter final. Calvin Smith finished in third place. The runner who originally won, Ben Johnson of Canada, was later disqualified. This happened because he tested positive for a banned substance. Because of this, Calvin Smith was moved up to receive the bronze medal.

Calvin Smith was known for always competing fairly. He was one of the few athletes in that final who never failed a drug test during his career. He later said he felt he should have won the gold medal.

Unfortunately, the U.S. 4 × 100-meter relay team did not make it to the final in Seoul. They were disqualified for passing the baton outside the allowed area. This meant Calvin missed out on another possible medal.

Later Career and Retirement

Calvin Smith continued to run for the U.S. national team into the 1990s. He was even named captain of the U.S. track and field team at major events like the Olympic Games and World Championships. He retired from athletics in 1996.

Calvin Smith's Personal Life

Calvin Smith is married to Melanie, whom he met in college. They have two children, a daughter named Brittney and a son named Calvin Smith Jr.. His son also became a successful sprinter.

After retiring from running, Calvin worked as an assistant coach at the University of Alabama for two years. He then moved with his family to Tampa, Florida. Today, he works for a non-profit organization that helps people get medical assistance.

Calvin Smith's International Competitions

Calvin Smith's Best Times

Calvin Smith's 19.99-second run in the 200 meters made him only the second person in history to run both the 100 meters in under 10 seconds and the 200 meters in under 20 seconds. Carl Lewis had achieved this feat just 66 days earlier.

Calvin Smith's Rankings

Experts from Track and Field News ranked Calvin Smith among the best sprinters in the USA and the world for many years. This was for both the 100-meter and 200-meter races, from 1980 to 1993.

Calvin Smith's Records and World Bests

Calvin Smith set several important records during his amazing career:

• He set a world record of 9.93 seconds in the 100-meter dash on July 3, 1983.
• He achieved a world low-altitude best time of 9.97 seconds in Zürich on August 24, 1983.
• He was part of the team that set a world record in the 4 × 100-meter relay in Helsinki on August 10, 1983.
• He also helped set another world record in the 4 × 100-meter relay in Los Angeles on August 11, 1984.

Track Records Held by Calvin Smith

As of September 2024, Calvin Smith still holds these 100-meter track records:

Awards and Honors

Calvin Smith has received many honors for his achievements:

• In 2007, he was welcomed into the United States Track and Field Hall of Fame.
• In 2014, he was inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.
• In 2016, he was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.

See also

In Spanish: Calvin Smith para niños

• Men's 100 metres world record progression