Jim Hines

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameJames Ray "Jim"•Hines
Used nameJim•Hines
Born10 September 1946 in Dumas, Arkansas (USA)
Died3 June 2023 in Hayward, California (USA)
Measurements183 cm / 81 kg
AffiliationsHouston Striders, Houston (USA)
NOC United States
Medals OG
Gold 2
Silver 0
Bronze 0
Total 2

Biography

Coached at Texas Southern by former Olympic champion, Bobby Morrow, Jim Hines made track history at the 1968 AAU when he became the first man to better 10 seconds for 100m. He clocked a windy 9.8 that day in the heats, but had a legal 9.9 in the semis before losing the final to Charlie Greene, both runners recording a windy 10.0. In Mexico City, Hines won the gold medal in 9.95 which was a world record for automatic timing. In the relay Hines took the baton in third place, but ran an outstanding anchor leg to give the U.S. a victory and another world record.

In college, Hines was a three-time NAIA Champion, winning the 100 yards in 1966 and the 100 and 220 yards in 1967. He also played football at Texas Southern. After the 1968 Olympic season, Hines turned professional and had a brief career in pro football with the Miami Dolphins after being drafted in the sixth round of the 1968 NFL Draft. He played 10 games for the Dolphins in 1969 and one game with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1970. Hines later worked with youth in Houston. He was inducted into the National Track & Field Hall of Fame in 1979.

Personal Bests: 100 – 9.95 (1968); 220y – 20.71 (1967).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1968 Summer Olympics Athletics USA Jim Hines
100 metres, Men (Olympic) 1 Gold
4 × 100 metres Relay, Men (Olympic) United States 1 Gold

Special Notes