Calvin Smith: The Quiet Sprinter from Bolton, MS

Photo courtesy Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum

Only a handful of individuals can rightfully claim to have once been the fastest man in the world. Calvin Smith is one of them.

Born in Bolton, Mississippi, in January 1961, Smith’s journey to the global stage was far from straightforward. As a student at Summer Hill School, he initially struggled to find his place in track and field. In fact, he quit the sport in the eighth grade, describing it as too difficult. But that changed dramatically the following year. As a ninth grader, he won the 220-yard dash at the state meet and later set a state record in the 100 meters—early signs of a remarkable future.

Smith continued his athletic career at the University of Alabama, where he earned eight All-American honors in both indoor and outdoor track. It was during his time with the Crimson Tide that he began to capture national attention, but it was 1983 that cemented his place in sports history.

That year, Smith became only the second man to break the 10-second barrier in the 100 meters and the 20-second barrier in the 200 meters. The first to do so, Carl Lewis, had achieved the feat just 66 days earlier. On July 3, 1983, at Colorado Springs, Smith set a new world record in the 100 meters with a time of 9.93 seconds, surpassing the long-standing record held by Jim Hines. Later that year, he claimed a world title in the 200 meters at the World Championships in Helsinki. In Zurich, he became the first man to run under both 10 seconds and 20 seconds in the same evening.

Despite his achievements, Smith's career was often overshadowed by the high-profile presence of Carl Lewis. Nevertheless, Smith made his Olympic debut in 1984 in Los Angeles, where he helped secure a gold medal as a member of the United States 4x100-meter relay team.

The 1988 Seoul Olympics brought a more controversial chapter in track and field history. In the highly anticipated 100-meter final, Smith competed against some of the sport’s most recognized names, including Lewis, Ben Johnson of Canada, and Linford Christie of Great Britain. Johnson initially won the race, followed by Lewis, Christie, and then Smith. However, Johnson was later disqualified after testing positive for steroids, and Smith was quietly elevated to the bronze medal position.

Over time, it became clear that Smith was the only athlete among the top finishers in that race never to be linked to performance-enhancing drugs. He remains the only runner among the top five from that event to have never failed a drug test or faced any doping allegations.

The race became infamous, often referred to as the “dirtiest race in history,” and was later chronicled in the ESPN documentary 9.79*. Through it all, Smith’s clean record and quiet dignity earned him respect throughout the sport. He continued competing into the 1990s and retired as one of the most admired figures in track and field.

Smith’s legacy extended through his family as well. His son, Calvin Smith II, enjoyed a successful collegiate career at the University of Florida, continuing the family’s connection to the sport.

Now living in Tampa, Florida, and working as a social worker, Smith remains involved in athletics. He held the world record in the 100 meters for four years, from 1983 until 1987, when Ben Johnson—whose later disqualification stripped him of credibility—broke the mark. Smith was inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in recognition of his achievements and integrity.

Smith’s story is one of perseverance, excellence, and above all, character—a legacy that continues to inspire runners across generations.