8 Fastest Runners in The World

Olympics always puts together an array of fastest runners in the world, for us to see and wonder. In this fast pace growing world, speed is not just a word but a notion of the progressing world. World is moving ahead and so are these super humans. So why not give a tribute to the fastest runners of the world. From Owens to Bolt, here is the list of the fastest runners in the world. Let’s check them out. 

1. Usain Bolt

Jamaican sprinter, Usain St Leo Bolt widely known as “The Lightning bolt” is the Olympic Legend is the history of Athletics. 21st August, 1986 born Bolt has bagged three consecutive Olympics gold medal for 100 meters, 200 meters and 4×100 meters relay. There are almost seven Olympic gold medals in his bag pack. Moreover, he has set the record in Olympics by completing 100 meters in 9.58 seconds. 2013 has proved to be great boon for him as he became the only man to ever become three-time 200 World Champion.

Along with gold medals he also achieved three World titles. Because of this unbelievable dominance and achievements in the sprint competition, Usain is considered as the greatest sprinter of all the time. Apart from his athletic life, bolt shows very keen interest in dancing and playing music and he loves playing video game series. Bolt definitely lives upto his name of being bolt and no doubt there couldn’t be anyone who could beat this legend. EVER! 

2. Tyson Gay

9th August, 1982 born Tyson Gay has established himself as the world’s second fastest man in the world after competing with Usain Bolt and just having margin difference of 0.11 seconds in 100 meters sprints. He has the Olympic record of completing 100 meters in 9.69 seconds. This American sprinter has not only achieved various Olympics medals but also bagged various titles in international competitions. America’s fastest runner has ranked as number 1 for the 100 meter dash twice in his career. Apart from Gay, his mother and sister too were sprinters of their times. No wonder this legend has got this quality from his family.

Emerging as the greatest sprinter, Gay has maintained his legacy. Gay is very religious man and he firmly beliefs in ‘God-given abilities’. The most modest and respectful athlete, Gay has faced various hardships in life. He lost his 15-years old daughter Trinity to a bullet in Kentucky. In spite of such severe hardship, Gay has managed to move on in his life and achieve great heights in long run. He definitely believes in breaking the record and proving to become world’s fastest sprinter and we wish him ‘Best of Luck…!’

3. Yohan Blake

Yohan Blake is the youngest 100 m world champion ever and one of the fastest runners in the world. 26th December, 1989 born Blake is the second fastest runner in 100 m and 200 m with personal best of 9.69 seconds in 100 m after Usain Bolt. Jamaican sprinter has bagged silver medals in 2012 Olympics Games in London and silver medal in 4×100 m relay in Rio Olympics of 2016, the second one in his career. The fastest runner in the world, Usain Bolt named Blake as “The Beast” as Blake’s hard work and dedication inspires Bolt that he can’t compete with. This 27 years old sprinter has never missed a chance of being in the headlines either for his best performance or for getting abducted in drug doping test.

However, the doping test was negative and Blake is clear from the false accusation. Blake has always shown his keen interest in cricket since childhood having an ambition to play for the West Indies team. Like his compatriot Usain Bolt, Blake is also Manchester United supporter and has expressed his desire to play for IPL team Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Yorkshire Country Club. The way Blake has achieved his dominance so far he is soon too far to beat his trainer Bolt and make Jamaica – more proud nation.

4. Asafa Powell

Jamaica is the nation with real gems in its bag pack including this one, Asafa Powell. 34 years old Powell, once had set the record of 100 m in 9.77 seconds in between 2005 to 2008. Mastered in 100 m Asafa has consistently broken the 10-seconds record barrier in the competition for almost 97 times that is the highest record till date. Bagging bronze and silver medal in 100 m and 4×100 m relay at World Championships he has successfully won two gold medals and one silver medal at the Common wealth Games.

However, Powell was out of the track for a few years due to the charges of doping. This was a major down fall in his life for which he made a great comeback in 2016 Olympics and grabbed a gold medal in the relay event. Asafa is very religious and disciplined in real life and the reason is his upbringing. One of the fastest runners in the world, Powell is a passionate car enthusiast. With such good qualities, Powell definitely will outshine in his mere future.

5. Jesse Owens

James Cleveland Owens known as “Jesse Owens”, an American track and field athlete is non-arguably one of the best athlete of his own time. He bagged four Olympic gold medals in 1936 and was one of the unbeatable champions of his time. He also won Berlin Games making a record of 10.3 seconds in 100 m and 20.7 seconds in 200 m track, which is definitely not a remarkable records compared to the above sprinters but the most important thing is that this record was made by him in 1936 and that also on very dirt track at the old-fashioned stadium.

However, assumptions are made that Owens would by far have made the record of 9.7 seconds if provided with the synthetic track as of today. Owen was a chain smoker and he suffered from lung cancer and succumbed to this deadly disease. But this legend has definitely made a remarkable place in the history athletes. As he once said: 

“I let my feet spend as little time on the ground as possible. From the air, fast down, and from the ground, fast up…!”

Hats off to this legend.

6. Justin Gatlin

Former Olympic and world champion, Justin Gatlin holds the record for being the oldest winner of Olympic medal in non-relay sprint event. American sprinter born on 10th February, 1982 has his personal best record of 9.74 seconds in 100 m. Gatling has gold in the 2004 Olympics, a bronze in the 2012 Olympics and silver in the 2016 Olympics for 100 m in his kitty. Two-time world champion in the 2005 World Championships for the 100 m and 200 m tracks, Gatlin has proved to be the fastest runner in the 30s.

However, he had to face certain ups and down in his life. Gatlin was banned from athletics for four years as he was proved positive in the Doping test. Returning from his suspension, Gatlin became the first American to win a medal in three Olympics after his silver medal in the Rio Games in 2016. He plans to beat his own record in upcoming future and we definitely wish him Good Luck..!

7. Carl Lewis

Frederick Carlton also called as Carl Lewis is an American former track and field athlete who was the most favourite runners in the world during 1980s and 90s. Out of the 10 Olympic, Lewis grabbed nine gold medals and Out of the 10 World Championships medals eight of them were gold. This legend has marked his place in history of athletics and set a record that is almost not possible to beat. He has set an unbreakable world record and is definitely one of the fastest runners in the world.

“World Athlete of the Century”, “Sportsman of the Century”, “Olympian of the Century” and “Athlete of the year” – these titles are won by Lewis who made him the real inspiration to the athlete lovers. He never missed to be out of the limelight. Even after the retirement he has expanded his popularity by appearing as an actor in number of films. The main reason for his achievement is his own word:

“The trials on the road to world harmony are no greater than the courage of those who accept the challenge.”

8. Florence Griffith Joyner

Florence Delorez Griffith Joyner also known as Flo Jo the fastest woman of all the time. It is very hard to break Griffith Joyner’s world record i.e. 10.49 seconds in 100 m and 21.34 seconds in 200 m. This American track and field athlete undoubtedly is the first woman to be in the top ten lists of fastest runners in the world. In spite of getting retired in very young age, Joyner has bagged three gold medals at 1988 Olympics along with two silver ones. Flo Jo is also famous for her bold fashion statement. Her amazing and appealing personality and record breaking performance made her the most popular figure in 1980s. She definitely was one of the fastest runners in the world.

However her career was marred by doping acquisition which is unproven till date. Griffith died at very young age of 39. The sudden and sad demise of Flo Jo was great shock for the entire world. After few investigation it was found that the main reason for her death while sleeping was severe epileptic seizure. She has set a remarkable place in the history of athletes. No one can beat this legend…EVER..!

Interesting isn’t it? These sprinters have indeed outshone and inspired each and every one of us. These fastest runners of the world have never let us down. Did we miss out on your favourite fastest runners in the world? Let us know who is your favourite athlete in the comments below.