Three U.S. sprinters break 10-second barrier in Olympic trials
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 20, 2026, 5:09 PM
Last updated Jun 20, 2026
On June 20, 1968, at the U.S. Olympic trials in Sacramento, Jim Hines, Ronnie Ray Smith, and Charles Greene became the first runners to eclipse the 10-second mark in the 100 meters. Hines set a record with a time of 9.9 seconds in the semifinals, winning the final later and going on to win gold at the Mexico City Olympics in October. That night, multiple records were broken across events, marking a significant moment in track history. Hines's world record stood for 15 years before it was surpassed by Calvin Smith.
- •Jim Hines ran 9.9 seconds in the 100 meters semifinals.
- •Hines, Smith, and Greene all broke the 10-second barrier.
- •Hines's Olympic gold time was 9.95 seconds.
- •The night is referred to as the 'Night of Speed.'
- •Records fell in other events as well, including long jump and shot put.
- 5:09 PMYahoo Sports — Deseret News archives: Remembering the day U.S. sprinters went below the 10-second mark
"On this day in 1968, not 1, not 2, but 3 runners eclipsed the 10-second mark in track and field’s premier event.
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