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60 metres
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| Athletics 60 metres | |
|---|---|
 Women 60 m final during Doha 2010 World Indoor Championships | |
| World records | |
| Men |  Christian Coleman 6.34 A (2018) |
| Women |  Irina Privalova 6.92 (1993, 1995) |
| World Indoor Championship records | |
| Men | Christian Coleman 6.37 (2018) |
| Women | Gail Devers 6.95 (1993) |
60 metres, or 60-meter dash, is a sprint event in track and field. It is a championship event for indoor championships, normally dominated by the best outdoor 100 metres runners. At indoor events, the 60 metres is run on lanes set out in the middle of the 'field', as is the hurdles event over the same distance, thus avoiding some of the effects of the banked track encircling the venue, upon which other track events in indoor events are run. At outdoor venues it is a rare distance, at least for senior athletes. The format of the event is similar to other sprint distances. The sprinters follow three initial instructions: 'on your marks', instructing them to take up position in the starting blocks; 'set', instructing them to adopt a more efficient starting posture, which also isometrically preloads their muscles. This will enable them to start faster. The final instruction is the firing of the starter's pistol. Upon hearing this the sprinters stride forwards from the blocks.
The 60 metres was an Olympic event in the 1900 and 1904 Summer Games but was removed from the schedule thereafter. American Christian Coleman currently holds the men's world record in the 60 metres with a time of 6.34 seconds,[1] while Russian Irina Privalova holds the women's world record at 6.92.
At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics semi-finals, Su Bingtian ran the fastest 60 m split of all-time and the fastest 60 m ever recorded under any conditions with a time of 6.29 seconds.[2]
In the past, it was common for athletes to compete in the 60 yards (54.86 m) race. This is not part of the lineage of the 60 metres, but is the predecessor of the 55 metres race. 60 metres is 65.6168 yards.
Area records
[edit]| Area | Men | Women | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Time (s) |
Season | Athlete | Time (s) |
Season | Athlete | |
| World | 6.34 A | 2018 | Christian Coleman (USA)
|
6.92 | 1993 | Irina Privalova (RUS)
|
| 1995 | ||||||
| Area records | ||||||
| Africa (records) | 6.45 A | 1999 |  Leonard Myles-Mills (GHA)
|
6.97 | 2018 |  Murielle Ahouré (CIV)
|
| 6.45 | 2026 |  Kanyinsola Ajayi (NGR)
| ||||
| Asia (records) | 6.42 | 2018 |  Su Bingtian (CHN)
|
7.09 | 1999 |  Susanthika Jayasinghe (SRI)
|
| Europe (records) | 6.41 | 2022 |  Marcell Jacobs (ITA)
|
6.92 | 1993 | Irina Privalova (RUS)
|
| 1995 | ||||||
| North, Central America and Caribbean (records) |
6.34 A | 2018 | Christian Coleman (USA)
|
6.94 A | 2023 | Aleia Hobbs (USA)
|
 Julien Alfred (LCA)
| ||||||
| Oceania (records) | 6.52 | 1999 |  Matthew Shirvington (AUS)
|
7.06 | 2024 |  Zoe Hobbs (NZL)
|
| South America (records) | 6.52 | 2009 |  José Carlos Moreira (BRA)
|
7.09 A | 2026 | Ana Carolina Azevedo (BRA)
|
All-time top 25
[edit]Indoor results only
| Tables show data for two definitions of "Top 25" - the top 25 60m times and the top 25 athletes: |
| - denotes top performance for athletes in the top 25 60m times |
| - denotes lesser performances, still in the top 25 60m times, by repeat athletes |
| - denotes top performance (only) for other top 25 athletes who fall outside the top 25 60m times |
Men
[edit]Updated March 2026.[5]
| Ath.# | Perf.# | Time (s) | Athlete | Nation | Date | Place | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 6.34 A | Christian Coleman |  United States |
18 February 2018 | Albuquerque | [1] |
| 2 | 6.37 | Coleman #2 | 19 January 2018 | Clemson | |||
| Coleman #3 | 3 March 2018 | Birmingham | [6] | ||||
| 2 | 4 | 6.39 | Maurice Greene | United States |
3 February 1998 | Madrid | |
| 4 | 6.39 | Greene #2 | 3 March 2001 | Atlanta | |||
| 6 | 6.40 | Greene #3 | 27 February 1999 | Atlanta | |||
| 3 | 6 | 6.40 A | Ronnie Baker | United States |
18 February 2018 | Albuquerque | [1] |
| 4 | 8 | 6.41 | Andre Cason | United States |
14 February 1992 | Madrid | |
| 8 | 6.41 | Greene #4 | 1 February 1998 | Stuttgart | |||
| 4 | 8 | 6.41 | Marcell Jacobs | Italy |
19 March 2022 | Belgrade | [7] |
| 8 | 6.41 | Coleman #4 | 19 March 2022 | Belgrade | [7] | ||
| Coleman #5 | 1 March 2024 | Glasgow | [8] | ||||
| 4 | 8 | 6.41 | Jordan Anthony | United States |
20 March 2026 | Toruń | [9] |
| 14 | 6.42 | Greene #5 | 7 March 1999 | Maebashi | |||
| 7 | 14 | 6.42 | Dwain Chambers |  Great Britain |
7 March 2009 | Turin | |
| 14 | 6.42 A | Coleman #6 | 18 February 2018 | Albuquerque | [1] | ||
| 7 | 14 | 6.42 | Su Bingtian | China |
3 March 2018 | Birmingham | [6] |
| Trayvon Bromell | United States
|
10 February 2023 | Clemson | [10] | |||
| 14 | 6.42 | Bromell #2 | 20 March 2026 | Toruń | [11] | ||
| 20 | 6.43 | Greene #6 | 1 February 1998 | Stuttgart | |||
| 10 | 20 | 6.43 | Tim Harden | United States |
7 March 1999 | Maebashi | |
| 20 | 6.43 | Su #2 | 6 February 2018 | Düsseldorf | |||
| 10 | 20 | 6.43 A | Noah Lyles | United States
|
17 February 2024 | Albuquerque | [12] |
| 20 | 6.43 | Coleman #7 | 1 March 2024 | Glasgow | [8] | ||
| Anthony #2 | 13 February 2026 | Fayetteville | [13] | ||||
| Anthony #3 | 20 March 2026 | Toruń | [11] | ||||
| 12 | 6.44 | Asafa Powell |  Jamaica |
18 March 2016 | Portland | [14] | |
| Marvin Bracy | United States |
19 March 2022 | Belgrade | [7] | |||
| 14 | 6.45 | Bruny Surin |  Canada |
13 February 1993 | Liévin | ||
| 6.45 A | Leonard Myles-Mills | Ghana |
20 February 1999 | Colorado Springs | |||
| Terrence Trammell | United States |
17 February 2001 | Pocatello | ||||
| 6.45 | Justin Gatlin | United States |
1 March 2003 | Boston | |||
| Ronald Pognon |  France |
13 February 2005 | Karlsruhe | ||||
| 6.45 A | Trell Kimmons | United States |
26 February 2012 | Albuquerque | |||
| 6.45 | Terrence Jones |  Bahamas |
15 January 2022 | Lubbock | [15] | ||
| Ackeem Blake | Jamaica
|
4 February 2024 | Boston | ||||
| Kanyinsola Ajayi | Nigeria
|
26 February 2026 | College Station | ||||
| Jeremiah Azu | Great Britain
|
20 March 2026 | Toruń | [11] | |||
| Kishane Thompson | Jamaica
|
20 March 2026 | Toruń | [9] | |||
| 25 | 6.46 | Jon Drummond | United States |
1 February 1998 | Stuttgart | ||
| 6.46 A | Marcus Brunson | United States |
30 January 1999 | Flagstaff | |||
| 6.46 | Jason Gardener | Great Britain |
7 March 1999 | Maebashi | |||
| Tim Montgomery | United States |
11 March 2001 | Lisbon | ||||
| Leonard Scott | United States |
26 February 2005 | Liévin | ||||
| JC Stevenson | United States |
14 March 2025 | Virginia Beach | [16] | |||
| Malachi Snow | United States |
28 February 2026 | Lubbock | ||||
| Jelani Watkins | United States |
13 March 2026 | Fayetteville | [17] |
Note: The following athletes have had their performances annulled due to doping offences:
| Time (s) | Athlete | Nation | Date | Place | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.41 | Ben Johnson | Canada |
7 March 1987 | Indianapolis | [18] |
Outdoor best performances
[edit] |
+ = en route to 100 m mark
equal or superior to 6.34 seconds
| Rank | Time (s) |
Wind (m/s) |
Athlete | Nation | Date | Place | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6.29+ (calculated) | +0.9 | Su Bingtian | China
|
1 August 2021 | Tokyo | [19][20] |
| 2 | 6.31+ (calculated) | +0.9 | Usain Bolt | Jamaica
|
16 August 2009 | Berlin | [21][22] |
| 3 | 6.32+ (calculated) | +1.7 | Asafa Powell | Jamaica
|
9 September 2007 | Rieti | [23] |
| +1.7 | Usain Bolt | Jamaica
|
31 May 2008 | New York City | [24] | ||
| ±0.0 | Usain Bolt | Jamaica
|
16 August 2008 | Beijing | [25] | ||
| +0.2 | Asafa Powell | Jamaica
|
2 September 2009 | Lausanne | [23] | ||
| +1.5 | Usain Bolt | Jamaica
|
5 August 2012 | London | [26] | ||
| +0.6 | Christian Coleman | United States
|
28 September 2019 | Doha | [27] | ||
| 9 | 6.33+ (calculated) | −0.2 | Maurice Greene | United States
|
5 August 2001 | Edmonton | [28] |
| −0.1 | Yohan Blake | Jamaica
|
23 August 2012 | Lausanne | [29] | ||
| 11 | 6.34+ (calculated) | +0.9 | Justin Gatlin | United States
|
23 August 2015 | Beijing | [30] |
Note: The following athletes have had their associated 100 m performances annulled due to doping offences:
| Time (s) |
Wind (m/s) |
Athlete | Nation | Date | Place | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.33+ (calculated) | +1.1 | Ben Johnson | Canada
|
24 September 1988 | Seoul | [31] |
Women
[edit]Updated February 2026.[32]
| Ath.# | Perf.# | Time (s) | Athlete | Nation | Date | Place | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 6.92 | Irina Privalova | Russia |
11 February 1993 | Madrid | |
| 1 | 6.92 | Privalova #2 | 9 February 1995 | Madrid | |||
| 3 | 6.93 | Privalova #3 | 13 February 1994 | Liévin | |||
| 4 | 6.94 | Privalova #4 | 19 February 1995 | Liévin | |||
| 2 | 4 | 6.94 A | Aleia Hobbs | United States
|
18 February 2023 | Albuquerque | [33] |
| Julien Alfred | Saint Lucia
|
11 March 2023 | Albuquerque | [34] | |||
| 4 | 6 | 6.95 | Gail Devers | United States |
12 March 1993 | Toronto | |
| 6 | 6.95 | Privalova #5 | 6 February 1994 | Vienna | |||
| Privalova #6 | 14 February 1995 | Moscow | |||||
| 4 | 6 | 6.95 | Marion Jones | United States |
7 March 1998 | Maebashi | |
| 6 | 10 | 6.96 | Merlene Ottey | Jamaica |
14 February 1992 | Madrid | |
| 10 | 6.96 | Privalova #7 | 11 February 1993 | Madrid | |||
| 6 | 10 | 6.96 | Ekaterini Thanou |  Greece |
7 March 1999 | Maebashi | |
| Mujinga Kambundji |  Switzerland |
18 March 2022 | Belgrade | [35] | |||
| 10 | 6.96 A | Alfred #2 | 10 March 2023 | Albuquerque | [36] | ||
| 15 | 6.97 | Privalova #8 | 14 February 1992 | Madrid | |||
| Privalova #9 | 12 March 1993 | Toronto | |||||
| Privalova #10 | 11 February 1994 | Madrid | |||||
| Privalova #11 | 12 February 1995 | Ghent | |||||
| Ottey #2 | 19 February 1995 | Liévin | |||||
| Ottey #3 | 10 March 1995 | Ghent | |||||
| 9 | 15 | 6.97 | LaVerne Jones-Ferrette |  United States Virgin Islands |
6 February 2010 | Stuttgart | |
| Murielle Ahouré | Ivory Coast |
2 March 2018 | Birmingham | [37] | |||
| 15 | 6.97 | Alfred #3 | 25 February 2023 | Lubbock | [38] | ||
| 24 | 6.98 | Privalova #12 | 27 February 1993 | Moscow | |||
| Devers #2 | 21 February 1999 | Liévin | |||||
| 11 | 24 | 6.98 | Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce | Jamaica |
9 March 2014 | Sopot | [39] |
| Elaine Thompson-Herah | Jamaica |
18 February 2017 | Birmingham | [40] | |||
| 24 | 6.98 | Hobbs #2 | 28 January 2023 | Fayetteville | [41] | ||
| 11 | 24 | 6.98 | Ewa Swoboda |  Poland |
2 March 2024 | Glasgow | [42] |
| 24 | 6.98 | Alfred #4 | 2 March 2024 | Glasgow | [43] | ||
| 14 | 6.99 | Mikiah Brisco | United States |
18 March 2022 | Belgrade | [35] | |
| Zaynab Dosso | Italy
|
22 February 2026 | Toruń | [44] | |||
| 16 | 7.00 | Nelli Cooman |  Netherlands |
23 February 1986 | Madrid | ||
| Veronica Campbell-Brown | Jamaica |
14 March 2010 | Doha | ||||
| Dafne Schippers | Netherlands
|
13 February 2016 | Berlin | [45] | |||
| Barbara Pierre | United States
|
12 March 2016 | Portland | [46] | |||
| 20 | 7.01 | Savatheda Fynes | Bahamas |
7 March 1999 | Maebashi | ||
| Me'Lisa Barber | United States |
10 March 2006 | Moscow | ||||
| Lauryn Williams | United States |
10 March 2006 | Moscow | ||||
| Patrizia Van der Weken |  Luxembourg |
22 February 2026 | Toruń | [44] | |||
| 24 | 7.02 | Gwen Torrence | United States |
2 February 1996 | New York City | ||
| Christy Opara-Thompson | Nigeria |
12 February 1997 | Ghent | ||||
| Chioma Ajunwa | Nigeria |
22 February 1998 | Liévin | ||||
| Philomena Mensah | Canada |
7 March 1999 | Maebashi | ||||
| 7.02 A | Carmelita Jeter | United States |
28 February 2010 | Albuquerque | |||
| 7.02 | Tianna Madison | United States |
11 February 2012 | Fayetteville | |||
| 7.02 A | Javianne Oliver | United States |
18 February 2018 | Albuquerque | [1] | ||
| 7.02 | Marie Josée Ta Lou | Ivory Coast
|
20 February 2019 | Düsseldorf | [47] | ||
| Jacious Sears | United States
|
8 February 2025 | New York City | [48] |
Outdoor best performances
[edit] |
+ = en route to 100 m mark
equal or superior to 6.92 seconds
| Rank | Time (s) |
Wind (m/s) |
Athlete | Nation | Date | Place | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6.81+ (calculated) | +0.1 | Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce | Jamaica
|
29 September 2019 | Doha | [49] |
| 2 | 6.85+ (calculated) | −0.1 | Marion Jones | United States
|
22 August 1999 | Seville | |
| 3 | 6.87+ (calculated) | ±0.0[a] | Florence Griffith Joyner | United States
|
16 July 1988 | Indianapolis | [51] |
| +0.9 | Elaine Thompson-Herah | Jamaica
|
21 August 2021 | Eugene | [52] | ||
| 5 | 6.91+ (calculated) | +0.1 | Dina Asher-Smith | Great Britain
|
29 September 2019 | Doha | [49] |
Olympic medalists
[edit]| Games | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1900 Paris |
 Alvin Kraenzlein (USA)
|
Walter Tewksbury (USA)
|
Stan Rowley (AUS)
|
| 1904 St. Louis |
Archie Hahn (USA)
|
William Hogenson (USA)
|
Fay Moulton (USA)
|
World Indoor Championships medalists
[edit]Men
[edit]a The event was known as the World Indoor Games in 1985.
b Ben Johnson of Canada originally won the gold medal, but he was disqualified in 1989 after admitting to steroid use between 1981 and 1988.
Medal table
[edit]| Rank | Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States (USA) | 11 | 9 | 4 | 24 |
| 2 | Great Britain (GBR) | 4 | 3 | 4 | 11 |
| 3 | Canada (CAN) | 3 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| 4 | Italy (ITA) | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Nigeria (NGR) | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | |
| 6 | Greece (GRE) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 7 |  Cuba (CUB) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 8 | Jamaica (JAM) | 0 | 4 | 1 | 5 |
| 9 |  Saint Kitts and Nevis (SKN) | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 10 | Australia (AUS) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| China (CHN) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Ghana (GHA) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
 Namibia (NAM) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
 Russia (RUS) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| 15 |  Qatar (QAT) | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 16 |  Antigua and Barbuda (ATG) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
 Barbados (BAR) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
 Belgium (BEL) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
 South Africa (RSA) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| Totals (19 entries) | 22 | 23 | 21 | 66 | |
Women
[edit]a The event was known as the World Indoor Games in 1985.
b Angella Issajenko of Canada originally won the silver medal, but she was disqualified in 1989 after admitting to steroid use between 1982 and 1988.
c Zhanna Block originally won the gold medal, but she was disqualified after her results from November 2002 onwards were deleted in 2011 for long-term drug use.
Medal table
[edit]| Rank | Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States (USA) | 7 | 8 | 5 | 20 |
| 2 | Jamaica (JAM) | 4 | 1 | 2 | 7 |
| 3 | Netherlands (NED) | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 4 | Switzerland (SUI) | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| 5 | Ivory Coast (CIV) | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| 6 | Italy (ITA) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 7 | Bahamas (BAH) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 8 | Saint Lucia (LCA) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 9 |  East Germany (GDR) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Greece (GRE) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
 Soviet Union (URS) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| 12 | Great Britain (GBR) | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 13 | Belgium (BEL) | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 14 |  Bulgaria (BUL) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
 Germany (GER) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Poland (POL) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Russia (RUS) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| 18 | Canada (CAN) | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| France (FRA) | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | |
| 20 |  Belarus (BLR) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
 British Virgin Islands (IVB) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| Cuba (CUB) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
 Gabon (GAB) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| Luxembourg (LUX) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
 Slovenia (SLO) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
 Ukraine (UKR) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| Totals (26 entries) | 22 | 22 | 22 | 66 | |
World leading times
[edit]Indoor results only
Notes
[edit]- ^ It is widely believed that the anemometer was faulty for the race in which Florence Griffith Joyner set the official world record for the women's 100 m of 10.49 s.[50] A 1995 report commissioned by the IAAF estimated the true wind speed was between +5.0 m/s and +7.0 m/s, rather than the ±0.0 m/s recorded.[50]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Jon Hendershott (18 February 2018). "Coleman breaks world indoor 60m record at US Indoor Championships in Albuquerque". IAAF. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
- ^ Pierre-Jean Vazel (2 November 2021). "Athletics - Final Results". Analyzing the Olympic 100-meter sprints.
- ^ "Men's indoor 60 Metres | Records". worldathletics.org. World Athletics. Retrieved 7 May 2026.
- ^ "Women's indoor 60 Metres | Records". worldathletics.org. World Athletics. Retrieved 7 May 2026.
- ^ "All time Top Lists Senior Indoor 60 Metres Men". World Athletics. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
- ^ a b "Men's 60m Results" (PDF). IAAF. 3 March 2018. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
- ^ a b c "60m Final Results" (PDF). World Athletics. 19 March 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
- ^ a b "Lyles has to give best to Coleman over 60m in Glasgow | News | Glasgow 24 | World Athletics Indoor Championships". worldathletics.org. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
- ^ a b "Men's 60m Final Results" (PDF). World Athletics. Retrieved 20 March 2026.
- ^ "Bol clocks 49.96 and 22.87 in Metz, Bromell breezes to 6.42 in Clemson". World Athletics. 11 February 2023. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
- ^ a b c "Men's 60m Semifinal Results Summary" (PDF). World Athletics. Retrieved 20 March 2026.
- ^ "Results". results.usatf.org. Retrieved 2024-02-18.
- ^ "McRae breaks world short track 400m record in Fayetteville". World Athletics. 15 February 2026. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
- ^ "60m Round 1 Results" (PDF). IAAF. 18 March 2016. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
- ^ Jon Mulkeen (16 January 2022). "Jones, Harrison and Usoro get their 2022 campaigns off to a strong start". Retrieved 17 January 2022.
- ^ "60m Heats Results" (PDF). flashresults.ncaa.com. 14 March 2025. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
- ^ "60m Round 1 Heat 2 Results". World Athletics. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
- ^ Janofsky, Michael (6 September 1989). "Rule That Will Strip Johnson of His World Records Is Approved". The New York Times. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
- ^ Pierre-Jean Vazel (2021-11-02). "Athletics - Final Results". Analyzing the Olympic 100-meter sprints.
- ^ Omega Official (2021-08-08). "Su Bingtian 60m-6.29". Wanda Diamond League China.
- ^ Lee, Jimson (2009-08-19). "Usain Bolt 10 meter splits, Fastest Top Speed, 2008 vs 2009". SpeedEndurance.com. Retrieved 2023-11-24.
- ^ "Biomechanical Analysis 100 Metres" (PDF). IAAF. 16 August 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 April 2012. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
- ^ a b Pierre-Jean Vazel (8 September 2008). "Biomechanical Analysis 100 Metres 9.72 Asafa Powell". Retrieved 17 March 2023.
- ^ X-King (12 June 2008). "Biomechanical Analysis 100 Metres 9.72 Usain Bolt". Retrieved 17 March 2023.
- ^ Pierre-Jean Vazel (16 August 2009). "Biomechanical Analysis 100 Metres 9.69 Usain Bolt". Retrieved 17 March 2023.
- ^ Pierre-Jean Vazel (5 August 2020). "Biomechanical Analysis 100 Metres 9.63 Usain Bolt". Retrieved 17 March 2023.
- ^ "Biomechanical Analysis 100 Metres". La Libre. 29 September 2019. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
- ^ nsx_pf (14 February 2022). "TOP 20 FASTEST 60M SPLITS IN 100M RACES". Speed Analysis Channel. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
- ^ Leslie Ray Jeffrey (24 December 2022). "Biomechanical Analysis 100 Metres Yohan Blake 9.69". Retrieved 17 March 2023.
- ^ Magician wlx (14 February 2022). "Justin Gatlin's 9 77 split time in Beijing in 2015". YouTube. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
- ^ "Maurice Greene equals 60m indoors world record mark". World Athletics. 1 February 1998. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
- ^ "Toplists - All time Top lists - Senior Indoor 60 Metres Women". World Athletics. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
- ^ "Hobbs and Hall go No.2 all time at US Indoor Championships in Albuquerque". World Athletics. 18 February 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
- ^ "Alfred, Garland and Wilson threaten world records at NCAA Indoor Championships | REPORT | World Athletics". www.worldathletics.org. Retrieved 2023-03-12.
- ^ a b "60m Final Results" (PDF). World Athletics. 18 March 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
- ^ "Collegiate records fall on first day of NCAA Indoor Championships | REPORT | World Athletics". www.worldathletics.org. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
- ^ "Women's 60m Results" (PDF). IAAF. 2 March 2018. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
- ^ "Weekend Recap: All-Time Marks Canvas Conference Championships Weekend". USTFCCCA. 25 February 2023. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
- ^ "60m Results Summary" (PDF). IAAF. 9 March 2014. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
- ^ "60m Results" (PDF). British Athletics. 18 February 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 February 2017. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
- ^ "Hodgkinson breaks world indoor 600m best, Kincaid and Nuguse lead fast times in Boston". World Athletics. 29 January 2023. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
- ^ "60m Semifinal Results Summary" (PDF). World Athletics. 2 March 2024. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
- ^ "60m Final Results" (PDF). World Athletics. 2 March 2024. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
- ^ a b "Charlton, Crestan and Dosso close World Indoor Tour Gold in style in Toruń". worldathletics.org. 22 February 2026. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
- ^ "Dafne Schippers: Profile". IAAF.org. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
- ^ "60m Dash Results". flashresults.com. 12 March 2016. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
- ^ Ramsak, Bob (20 February 2019). "Ta Lou dashes 7.02, J. Ingebrigtsen defeats Tefera in Dusseldorf". iaaf.org. IAAF. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
- ^ "Nuguse and Fisher break world indoor records in New York". World Athletics. 8 February 2025. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
- ^ a b Lindstrom, Sieg (October 2019). "World Champs Women's 100 — Let's Hear It For Motherhood". Track & Field News. Archived from the original on 1 June 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
- ^ a b Linthorne, Nicholas P. (June 1995). "The 100-m World Record by Florence Griffith-Joyner at the 1988 U.S. Olympic Trials" (PDF). Brunel University. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 September 2012. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
- ^ Brüggemann, Gert-Peter; Glad, Bill; International Amateur Athletic Federation; International Athletic Foundation (1990), Scientific research project at the games of the XXIVth Olympiad - Seoul 1988. Final report, Biomechanical analyses of the jumping events, time analyses of the sprint and hurdle events, IAAF, retrieved 16 May 2020
- ^ Evelyn Watta (8 September 2021). "Elusive world record now within reach for Elaine Thompson-Herah". Olympics.com. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
External links
[edit].jpg){kind=small}
- All-time men's best 60 metres from alltime-athletics.com
- All-time women's best 60 metres from alltime-athletics.com
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60 metres
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Overview and history
Event description
The 60 metres is a sprint event in track and field, consisting of a straight-line race over exactly 60 metres from a standing start. It is a core discipline in indoor athletics, officially recognized and contested at World Athletics indoor championships and other major competitions.[6] The event highlights explosive acceleration and maximum velocity, with elite athletes typically reaching peak speed after a driving phase of 25 to 35 metres and completing the race in 6 to 7 seconds. Quick reaction time and high stride turnover are critical, as the short distance minimizes the influence of fatigue compared to longer sprints.[1][7] Unlike the 100 metres, the premier outdoor sprint that balances speed with a modest endurance demand over a full acceleration and speed maintenance cycle, the 60 metres prioritizes raw power and is almost exclusively held indoors to fit within the straight sections of standard 200-metre tracks. It was briefly featured as an Olympic event in 1900 and 1904.[8] The men's world record stands at 6.34 seconds, set by Christian Coleman of the United States on 18 February 2018 at the US Indoor Championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico.[3] The women's record is 6.92 seconds, first achieved by Irina Privalova of Russia on 11 February 1993 in Madrid, Spain, and equalled by her on 9 February 1995 in the same venue.[9] In athlete development, the 60 metres functions as a precise speed evaluation metric and an indoor substitute for the 100 metres, allowing sprinters to hone technique and power during winter training periods.[10]Historical development
The 60 metres sprint made its debut as an outdoor Olympic event at the 1900 Paris Games, where American Alvin Kraenzlein won gold in a world record time of 7.0 seconds, ahead of compatriot John Tewksbury and Australian Stanley Rowley.[11] The event returned for the 1904 St. Louis Olympics, again dominated by the United States, with Archie Hahn claiming victory in 7.0 seconds—equaling Kraenzlein's mark—followed by William Hogenson and Fay Moulton.[12] Held only twice in Olympic competition, the 60 metres was discontinued thereafter as the 100 metres emerged as the preferred standard sprint distance, reflecting a shift toward longer, more versatile outdoor races.[2] In the mid-20th century, the 60 metres transitioned to prominence as an indoor discipline, particularly in the United States and Europe, where harsh winter weather necessitated covered facilities for year-round training and competition. Indoor track meets in the US date back to the early 1900s, with events like the Millrose Games featuring short sprints from 1905 onward, while European indoor competitions gained traction through the European Indoor Games starting in 1966.[13] The event's popularity surged in the 1960s and 1970s with the construction of dedicated indoor tracks, often 200 metres in circumference, allowing for efficient short-dash programming alongside longer events; this era saw the 60 metres become a staple in national championships and invitationals, fostering speed development in colder climates. The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF, now World Athletics) formalized the 60 metres in 1985 by including it in the inaugural World Indoor Championships in Paris, marking a key step in global standardization. Canadian Ben Johnson won the men's title in 6.62 seconds, while East Germany's Silke Gladisch took the women's crown in 7.20 seconds, establishing the event's elite status.[14] Subsequent milestones included American Lee McRae becoming the first to break the 6.50-second barrier in 1987 at the second World Indoor Championships, running 6.50 seconds for a world record. In the women's event, Russian Irina Privalova shattered barriers in the early 1990s, setting world records of 6.94 seconds in 1989 and 6.92 seconds in 1993, times that highlighted advancements in starting techniques and the adoption of crouch starts with blocks on indoor surfaces. Beyond competition, the 60 metres holds cultural significance as a cornerstone of the indoor season, enabling sprinters in non-tropical regions to hone explosive power and technique during off-season months when outdoor tracks are unavailable. This winter focus has cultivated generations of athletes, from early US indoor pioneers to modern global stars, underscoring the event's role in sustaining sprinting's evolution year-round.[15]Competition format
Race rules and procedure
The 60 metres race follows the technical rules established by World Athletics, conducted indoors on a straight track where athletes remain in assigned lanes throughout. The event emphasizes precision in starting and finishing, with competitions structured to ensure fair progression from preliminary rounds to the final. Starting blocks are mandatory for all participants in sprint events up to 400 metres, fixed rigidly to the track surface without overlapping the start line or extending into adjacent lanes, to provide a consistent launch point.[16] The race procedure commences with the chief starter issuing the command "On your marks," prompting athletes to enter the set position on their blocks, followed by "Set" to raise hips, and then the firing of the starting gun, cannon, or electronic signal. Reaction time is electronically measured from the gun's firing to the athlete's first detectable movement—typically the release of pressure from the blocks—and must register greater than 0.00 seconds; however, any reaction under 0.10 seconds is classified as a false start, reflecting the established physiological threshold for human auditory response.[16][17] The race unfolds in distinct phases: an explosive start, rapid acceleration typically peaking around 20-30 metres, and sustained maximum velocity to the finish line, all within the confined indoor environment where wind conditions do not influence performance.[16] World Athletics enforces a zero-tolerance false start policy for sprints, where the first false start by any athlete results in that individual's immediate disqualification, a measure adopted in 2010 to deter anticipation and streamline events. This rule applies uniformly, with the Start Information System providing objective verification; prior to 2010, one false start per race was permitted before penalties. Notable controversies include Dwain Chambers' disqualification in the 2019 British Indoor Championships 60 metres semi-final after a false start reaction of 0.098 seconds, and Richard Kilty's 2016 false start in the British trials, which jeopardized his world indoor title defense.[16][18][19] Races advance through a series of heats, semi-finals, and a final, limited to eight athletes per heat to manage field sizes efficiently. Technical delegates seed entrants by season-best performances, with progression based on placings (e.g., top two per heat) or fastest times overall; for major meets, at least three athletes per heat are required, and a 45-minute minimum recovery period separates rounds for events up to 200 metres.[16] The 60-metre distance is precisely measured from the rear edge of the starting line to the leading edge of the finish line, both marked by 50 mm-wide white lines on the track. Timing employs fully automatic photo-finish technology, capturing up to 1,000 images per second for 0.01-second accuracy, supplemented by transponder systems on athletes; ties are resolved by reviewing photo-finish images to determine exact order.[16] Beyond false starts, disqualifications arise from lane infringements, such as crossing into another lane or the infield before breaking the finish line plane, unless proven to confer no advantage—resulting in immediate removal from the race and potential re-ranking of results. Doping infractions, governed by World Athletics' anti-doping framework, lead to disqualifications, medal forfeitures, and bans; for instance, several 60 metres medalists from past World Indoor Championships have been retroactively stripped due to positive tests for prohibited substances.[16][20]Track and equipment specifications
The 60 metres event is conducted indoors on a standard 200 m oval track featuring two straights and two bends, with the race taking place along the home straight to maximize the flat running surface. The track must measure exactly 200.000 m (±0.040 m) in total length, comprising two straights of 35.688 m each, two bends with a radius of 17.200 m banked at 10°, and transition curves of 19.750 m each. Lanes are marked with white lines 0.05 m wide, with a standard width of 1.22 m (±0.01 m) for the sprint straight, ensuring precise separation for up to eight lanes without curvature interference. The start line is positioned at right angles to the lane lines, with a minimum clearance of 3.00 m before the start and 10.00 m (preferably 13.00–15.00 m) after the finish, often featuring a padded brake wall for safety.[21][22][8] The track surface consists of a synthetic material designed for optimal grip, energy return, and durability, such as tartan or Mondo prefabricated rubber systems, with a minimum thickness of 13 mm for permanent installations and 9 mm for portable ones. These surfaces must meet World Athletics certification standards, including force reduction of 35–50%, vertical deformation of 0.6–2.5 mm, and a minimum friction coefficient of 0.5 when wet, tested across surface temperatures of 10–40°C to ensure performance consistency. Indoor venues incorporate heating, ventilation, and humidity controls—typically maintaining air temperatures of 18–22°C and relative humidity below 85%—to minimize environmental variability and support uniform conditions across competitions. Compatibility with 6 mm spikes is required to prevent surface damage while allowing secure footing.[21][23] Starting equipment mandates a crouch start using adjustable blocks certified by World Athletics, featuring two foot plates on a rigid frame that can be positioned forward or backward without overlapping the start line or adjacent lanes. The blocks must be firmly anchored with spikes or pins to prevent movement and are linked to a Start Information System for reaction time monitoring. An electronic starting pistol or equivalent device—such as an air horn or cannon—delivers an audible signal synchronized to within 0.001 seconds with the timing system, ensuring precise initiation without the need for wind measurement due to the enclosed environment.[16][22] At the finish, a fully automatic timing system employs a photo-finish camera aligned with black lane intersection markings on a 0.05 m wide line, capturing times to 1/1000th of a second via laser beam or pressure pad detection. Illumination at the finish must provide at least 1400 lux for international events, with a color rendering index above 80 to support accurate imaging. While the 60 m can occasionally be timed as a split from longer outdoor races on 100 m straights, official World Athletics records are recognized exclusively from indoor competitions to maintain standardization.[22]Records and progression
World records
The men's world record in the 60 metres is 6.34 seconds, set by Christian Coleman of the United States on 18 February 2018 at the USA Indoor Championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico.[24] This improved upon the previous mark of 6.39 seconds held by Maurice Greene of the United States, achieved on 3 February 1998 in Madrid, Spain.[25] The women's world record stands at 6.92 seconds, set by Irina Privalova of Russia on 11 February 1993 in Madrid, Spain; Privalova equalled this time on 9 February 1995 in the same city.[26] For under-20 athletes, the men's record is 6.51 seconds by Mark Lewis-Francis of Great Britain, run on 11 March 2001 at the World Indoor Championships in Lisbon, Portugal, equalled by Israel Okon of the United States on 28 February 2025 at the SEC Indoor Championships in Fayetteville, Arkansas.[27][28] The women's under-20 record is 7.07 seconds, first set by Ewa Swoboda of Poland on 12 February 2016 in Toruń, Poland, and equalled by Kaila Jackson of the United States on 10 March 2023 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and by Jodean Williams of Jamaica on 1 March 2025 in Spanish Town, Jamaica.[29][30] World Athletics ratifies indoor 60 metres records only if the performance occurs in a bona fide competition at a certified facility, uses fully automatic electronic timing to the hundredth of a second, complies with track and equipment specifications (including no wind assistance in enclosed venues), and includes immediate post-performance doping control for the athlete.[31] These records represent pinnacles of short-sprint velocity under controlled indoor conditions, with the sub-6.5-second barrier for men emerging in the late 1990s amid refinements in biomechanics, footwear, and explosive power training.[25]Record progression
The record progression in the 60 metres event reflects the evolution of sprinting techniques, training methodologies, and the shift from occasional outdoor competitions to a standard indoor discipline, with significant acceleration in the 1980s due to scientific advances in biomechanics and strength training, resulting in approximately 0.2 seconds improvement over the decade. Doping scandals, such as the annulment of Ben Johnson's 6.41 s mark in 1987, highlight the era's controversies, while post-1990s progress has stabilized amid stricter anti-doping measures. Early outdoor records from the Olympic Games in 1900 and 1904 featured times around 7.0 s, but ratified indoor progressions began gaining prominence in the mid-20th century.[32][33]Men's record progression
The men's 60 m record has seen steady improvements from the 1960s, with key breakthroughs in the 1980s and a modern endpoint at 6.34 s by Christian Coleman in 2018. Representative progression from the 1960s onward is shown below, focusing on ratified world records (indoor unless noted).| Date | Time | Athlete | Nationality | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 January 1967 | 6.54 | Bob Hayes | USA | Toronto (CAN) (i) |
| 2 February 1974 | 6.51 | Charlie Greene | USA | Toronto (CAN) (i) |
| 15 February 1980 | 6.49 | Silvio Leonard | CUB | Berlin (GDR) (i) |
| 6 March 1987 | 6.41 * | Ben Johnson | CAN | Indianapolis (USA) (i) |
| 6 March 1993 | 6.41 | Leroy Burrell | USA | Madrid (ESP) (i) |
| 3 February 1998 | 6.39 | Maurice Greene | USA | Madrid (ESP) (i) |
| 18 February 2018 | 6.34 | Christian Coleman | USA | Albuquerque (USA) (i) |
Women's record progression
The women's 60 m progression demonstrates Soviet and East German dominance in the 1970s and 1980s, with times dropping from 7.4 s in the late 1960s to sub-7.0 s by 1986, followed by relative stability after Irina Privalova's 6.92 s in 1993. Representative progression is shown below, focusing on ratified world records (indoor unless noted).| Date | Time | Athlete | Nationality | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 February 1969 | 7.40 | Renate Meyer | GDR | Vienna (AUT) (i) |
| 13 February 1974 | 7.25 | Renate Stecher | GDR | Leipzig (GDR) (i) |
| 26 January 1980 | 7.10 | Marlies Göhr | GDR | Senftenberg (GDR) (i) |
| 1 February 1986 | 7.07 | Marlies Göhr | GDR | Liévin (FRA) (i) |
| 23 February 1986 | 7.00 | Nelli Cooman | NED | Madrid (ESP) (i) |
| 14 February 1992 | 6.96 | Merlene Ottey | JAM | Madrid (ESP) (i) |
| 11 February 1993 | 6.92 | Irina Privalova | RUS | Madrid (ESP) (i) |
Regional and all-time performances
Area records
Area records in the 60 metres event represent the best performances ratified by World Athletics within its designated continental and regional associations, providing benchmarks for regional excellence in this indoor sprint discipline. These records are maintained separately from the global world record and highlight disparities in training, facilities, and competitive depth across regions, with North America (via NACAC) and Europe often setting the pace closest to the world marks of 6.34 seconds for men (Christian Coleman, 2018) and 6.92 seconds for women (Irina Privalova, 1993 and 1995). Updates occur as athletes achieve superior times under verified conditions, with the most recent changes reflecting ongoing advancements, such as Oceania's men's record in early 2025. The following table summarizes the current men's area records, all ratified by their respective World Athletics area associations:| Area | Time | Athlete | Nationality | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Africa | 6.45 | Leonard Myles-Mills | GHA | 20 Feb 1999 | Air Force Academy, USA |
| Asia | 6.42 | Bingtian Su | CHN | 03 Mar 2018 | Birmingham, GBR |
| Europe | 6.41 | Lamont Marcell Jacobs | ITA | 19 Mar 2022 | Beograd, SRB |
| NACAC (North America, Central America & Caribbean) | 6.34 | Christian Coleman | USA | 18 Feb 2018 | Albuquerque, USA |
| Oceania | 6.43 | Lachlan Kennedy | AUS | 25 Jan 2025 | Canberra, AUS |
| South America | 6.52 | José Carlos Moreira | BRA | 13 Feb 2009 | Paris, FRA |
| Area | Time | Athlete | Nationality | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Africa | 6.97 | Murielle Ahouré | CIV | 02 Mar 2018 | Birmingham, GBR |
| Asia | 7.09 | Susanthika Jayasinghe | SRI | 07 Feb 1999 | Stuttgart, GER |
| Europe | 6.92 | Irina Privalova | RUS | 11 Feb 1993 | Madrid, ESP |
| NACAC (North America, Central America & Caribbean) | 6.94 | Aleia Hobbs / Julien Alfred | USA / LCA | 18 Feb 2023 / 11 Mar 2023 | Albuquerque, USA |
| Oceania | 7.06 | Zoe Hobbs | NZL | 02 Mar 2024 | Glasgow, GBR |
| South America | 7.14 | Vitoria Cristina Rosa | BRA | 18 Mar 2022 | Beograd, SRB |
All-time top 25 lists
The all-time top 25 lists for the 60 metres event comprise the fastest verified indoor performances by men and women, as ratified by World Athletics. These rankings include only electronically timed results from indoor competitions, with multiple performances by the same athlete counted separately if they meet the criteria for distinct entries. The men's list is led by Christian Coleman's world record of 6.34 seconds, set in 2018.[3]| Rank | Time | Athlete | Nationality | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6.34 | Christian Coleman | USA | 18 Feb 2018 | Albuquerque, NM (USA) (i) |
| 2 | 6.39 | Maurice Greene | USA | 03 Feb 1998 | Madrid (ESP) (i) |
| 3 | 6.40 | Ronnie Baker | USA | 18 Feb 2018 | Albuquerque, NM (USA) (i) |
| 4 | 6.41 | Andre Cason | USA | 14 Feb 1992 | Madrid (ESP) (i) |
| 4 | 6.41 | Lamont Marcell Jacobs | ITA | 19 Mar 2022 | Štark Arena, Beograd (SRB) (i) |
| 6 | 6.42 | Dwain Chambers | GBR | 07 Mar 2009 | Oval Lingotto, Torino (ITA) (i) |
| 6 | 6.42 | Bingtian Su | CHN | 03 Mar 2018 | Arena Birmingham, Birmingham (GBR) (i) |
| 6 | 6.42 | Trayvon Bromell | USA | 10 Feb 2023 | Clemson Indoor Track, Clemson, SC (USA) (i) |
| 6 | 6.42 | Ackeem Blake | JAM | 25 Feb 2023 | National Stadium, Kingston (JAM) (i) |
| 10 | 6.43 | Tim Harden | USA | 07 Mar 1999 | Green Dome, Maebashi (JPN) (i) |
| 10 | 6.43 | Noah Lyles | USA | 17 Feb 2024 | Convention Center, Albuquerque, NM (USA) (i) |
| 10 | 6.43 | Lachlan Kennedy | AUS | 25 Jan 2025 | AIS Athletics Track, Canberra (AUS) (i) |
| 13 | 6.44 | Asafa Powell | JAM | 18 Mar 2016 | Oregon Convention Center, Portland, OR (USA) (i) |
| 13 | 6.44 | Marvin Bracy-Williams | USA | 19 Mar 2022 | Štark Arena, Beograd (SRB) (i) |
| 15 | 6.45 | Bruny Surin | CAN | 13 Feb 1993 | Liévin (FRA) (i) |
| 15 | 6.45 | Leonard Myles-Mills | GHA | 20 Feb 1999 | Air Force Academy, CO (USA) (i) |
| 15 | 6.45 | Terrence Trammell | USA | 17 Feb 2001 | Pocatello, ID (USA) (i) |
| 15 | 6.45 | Justin Gatlin | USA | 01 Mar 2003 | Boston, MA (USA) (i) |
| 15 | 6.45 | Ronald Pognon | FRA | 13 Feb 2005 | Karlsruhe (GER) (i) |
| 15 | 6.45 | Trell Kimmons | USA | 26 Feb 2012 | Albuquerque, NM (USA) (i) |
| 15 | 6.45 | Terrence Jones | BAH | 15 Jan 2022 | Sports Performance Center, Lubbock, TX (USA) (i) |
| 15 | 6.45 | Yohan Blake | JAM | 25 Feb 2023 | National Stadium, Kingston (JAM) (i) |
| 23 | 6.46 | Jon Drummond | USA | 01 Feb 1998 | Stuttgart (GER) (i) |
| 23 | 6.46 | Marcus Brunson | USA | 30 Jan 1999 | Flagstaff, AZ (USA) (i) |
| 23 | 6.46 | Jason Gardener | GBR | 07 Mar 1999 | Green Dome, Maebashi (JPN) (i) |
| Rank | Time | Athlete | Nationality | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6.92 | Irina Privalova | RUS | 11 Feb 1993 | Madrid (ESP) (i) |
| 2 | 6.94 | Aleia Hobbs | USA | 18 Feb 2023 | Convention Center, Albuquerque, NM (USA) (i) |
| 2 | 6.94 | Julien Alfred | LCA | 11 Mar 2023 | Convention Center, Albuquerque, NM (USA) (i) |
| 4 | 6.95 | Gail Devers | USA | 12 Mar 1993 | The Sky Dome, Toronto (CAN) (i) |
| 4 | 6.95 | Marion Jones | USA | 07 Mar 1998 | Green Dome, Maebashi (JPN) (i) |
| 6 | 6.96 | Merlene Ottey | JAM | 14 Feb 1992 | Madrid (ESP) (i) |
| 6 | 6.96 | Katerina Thanou | GRE | 07 Mar 1999 | Green Dome, Maebashi (JPN) (i) |
| 6 | 6.96 | Mujinga Kambundji | SUI | 18 Mar 2022 | Štark Arena, Beograd (SRB) (i) |
| 9 | 6.97 | LaVerne Jones-Ferrette | ISV | 06 Feb 2010 | Schleyer Halle, Stuttgart (GER) (i) |
| 9 | 6.97 | Murielle Ahouré | CIV | 02 Mar 2018 | Arena Birmingham, Birmingham (GBR) (i) |
| 11 | 6.98 | Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce | JAM | 09 Mar 2014 | Ergo Arena, Sopot (POL) (i) |
| 11 | 6.98 | Elaine Thompson | JAM | 18 Feb 2017 | Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham (GBR) (i) |
| 11 | 6.98 | Ewa Swoboda | POL | 02 Mar 2024 | Glasgow Arena, Glasgow (GBR) (i) |
| 14 | 6.99 | Mikiah Brisco | USA | 18 Mar 2022 | Štark Arena, Beograd (SRB) (i) |
| 15 | 7.00 | Nelli Cooman | NED | 23 Feb 1986 | Palacio de Deportes, Madrid (ESP) (i) |
| 15 | 7.00 | Veronica Campbell-Brown | JAM | 14 Mar 2010 | Aspire Dome, Doha (QAT) (i) |
| 15 | 7.00 | Dafne Schippers | NED | 13 Feb 2016 | Berlin (GER) (i) |
| 15 | 7.00 | Barbara Pierre | USA | 12 Mar 2016 | Portland, OR (USA) (i) |
| 19 | 7.01 | Savatheda Fynes | BAH | 07 Mar 1999 | Green Dome, Maebashi (JPN) (i) |
| 19 | 7.01 | Me'Lisa Barber | USA | 10 Mar 2006 | Olimpiyskiy Stadion, Moskva (RUS) (i) |
| 19 | 7.01 | Lauryn Williams | USA | 10 Mar 2006 | Olimpiyskiy Stadion, Moskva (RUS) (i) |
| 19 | 7.01 | Zaynab Dosso | ITA | 09 Mar 2025 | Omnisport, Apeldoorn (NED) (i) |
| 23 | 7.02 | Gwen Torrence | USA | 02 Feb 1996 | New York, NY (USA) (i) |
| 23 | 7.02 | Christy Opara-Thompson | NGR | 12 Feb 1997 | Gent (BEL) (i) |
| 23 | 7.02 | Chioma Ajunwa | NGR | 22 Feb 1998 | Liévin (FRA) (i) |
Major championships
Olympic Games medalists
The 60 metres dash was included as an outdoor men's event in the Olympic programme during the inaugural modern Games in 1900 and again in 1904, but it was discontinued thereafter due to the preference for the 100 metres as the standard sprint distance and to streamline the athletics schedule.[2] These early competitions featured small international fields and reflected the era's rudimentary timing and track conditions, with all medals in both editions won by American athletes.[37][38] At the 1900 Paris Olympics, held outdoors at Croix Catelan in the Bois de Boulogne, the event drew 10 participants from six nations on July 15.[37]| Rank | Athlete | Nation | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Alvin Kraenzlein | USA | 7.0 s |
| Silver | Walter Tewksbury | USA | 7.1 s |
| Bronze | Stan Rowley | AUS | 7.2 s |
World Indoor Championships medalists
The World Indoor Championships in athletics, held biennially since 1985, feature the 60 metres as a premier sprint event, with medals awarded in separate men's and women's competitions.[41][42] The United States has historically dominated, securing the majority of medals due to its depth in sprinting talent. Several athletes have achieved multiple victories, including Christian Coleman of the United States with golds in 2018 and 2024, and Mujinga Kambundji of Switzerland with golds in 2022 and 2025.[41][42] Championship records include Coleman's 6.37 seconds in the men's event (2018, Birmingham) and Gail Devers' 6.95 seconds in the women's event (1993, Toronto).[43] Doping violations have occasionally led to revised results, such as Ben Johnson's disqualification in 1987 for the men's event, promoting American athletes to gold, and Zhanna Block's 2003 women's gold being stripped in 2011, awarding it to Angela Williams of the United States. (Note: Specific revisions based on IAAF/World Athletics rulings.)[44] Similarly, LaVerne Jones-Ferrette's 2010 women's silver was revoked due to a doping infraction, promoting Carmelita Jeter to silver.Men's medalists
| Year | Location | Gold | Time | Silver | Time | Bronze | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Paris | Ben Johnson (CAN) | 6.62 | Sam Graddy (USA) | 6.63 | Ronald Desruelles (BEL) | 6.68 |
| 1987 | Indianapolis | Lee McRae (USA) | 6.50 | Calvin Smith (USA) | 6.51 | Mark Witherspoon (USA) | 6.54 |
| 1989 | Budapest | Andrés Simón (CUB) | 6.52 | John Myles-Mills (GHA) | 6.59 | Francesco Pavoni (ITA) | 6.61 |
| 1991 | Seville | Andre Cason (USA) | 6.47 | Linford Christie (GBR) | 6.52 | Chidi Imoh (NGR) | 6.60 |
| 1993 | Toronto | Bruny Surin (CAN) | 6.50 | Frank Fredericks (NAM) | 6.51 | Talal Mansour (QAT) | 6.57 |
| 1995 | Barcelona | Bruny Surin (CAN) | 6.46 | Darren Braithwaite (GBR) | 6.51 | Robert Esmie (CAN) | 6.55 |
| 1997 | Paris | Maurice Greene (USA) | 6.48 | Michael Green (JAM) | 6.51 | Davidson Ezinwa (NGR) | 6.52 |
| 1999 | Maebashi | Maurice Greene (USA) | 6.42 | Tim Harden (USA) | 6.43 | Jason Gardener (GBR) | 6.46 |
| 2001 | Lisbon | Tim Harden (USA) | 6.44 | Tim Montgomery (USA) | 6.46 | Mark Lewis-Francis (GBR) | 6.51 |
| 2003 | Birmingham | Justin Gatlin (USA) | 6.46 | Kim Collins (SKN) | 6.53 | Jason Gardener (GBR) | 6.55 |
| 2004 | Budapest | Jason Gardener (GBR) | 6.49 | Shawn Crawford (USA) | 6.52 | Georgios Theodoridis (GRE) | 6.54 |
| 2006 | Moscow | Leonard Scott (USA) | 6.50 | Andrey Yepishin (RUS) | 6.52 | Terrence Trammell (USA) | 6.54 |
| 2008 | Valencia | Olusoji Fasuba (NGR) | 6.51 | Dwain Chambers (GBR) | 6.54 | Kim Collins (SKN) | 6.54 |
| 2010 | Doha | Dwain Chambers (GBR) | 6.48 | Mike Rodgers (USA) | 6.53 | Daniel Bailey (ANT) | 6.57 |
| 2012 | Istanbul | Justin Gatlin (USA) | 6.46 | Nesta Carter (JAM) | 6.54 | Dwain Chambers (GBR) | 6.60 |
| 2014 | Sopot | Richard Kilty (GBR) | 6.49 | Marvin Bracy (USA) | 6.51 | Femi Ogunode (QAT) | 6.52 |
| 2016 | Portland | Trayvon Bromell (USA) | 6.47 | Asafa Powell (JAM) | 6.50 | Ramon Gittens (BAR) | 6.51 |
| 2018 | Birmingham | Christian Coleman (USA) | 6.37 CR | Su Bingtian (CHN) | 6.44 | Ronnie Baker (USA) | 6.44 |
| 2022 | Belgrade | Lamont Marcell Jacobs (ITA) | 6.41 | Christian Coleman (USA) | 6.41 | Marvin Bracy-Williams (USA) | 6.44 |
| 2024 | Glasgow | Christian Coleman (USA) | 6.41 | Noah Lyles (USA) | 6.44 | Ackeem Blake (JAM) | 6.46 |
| 2025 | Nanjing | Jeremiah Azu (GBR) | 6.49 | Lachlan Kennedy (AUS) | 6.50 | Akani Simbine (RSA) | 6.54 |
Women's medalists
| Year | Location | Gold | Time | Silver | Time | Bronze | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Paris | Silke Gladisch (GDR) | 7.20 | Heather Oakes (GBR) | 7.21 | Christelle Bulteau (FRA) | 7.34 |
| 1987 | Indianapolis | Nelli Cooman (NED) | 7.08 | Angela Chalmers (CAN) | 7.08 | Anelia Nuneva (BUL) | 7.10 |
| 1989 | Budapest | Nelli Fiere-Cooman (NED) | 7.05 | Gwen Torrence (USA) | 7.07 | Merlene Ottey (JAM) | 7.10 |
| 1991 | Seville | Irina Sergeyeva (URS) | 7.02 | Merlene Ottey (JAM) | 7.08 | Liliana Allen (CUB) | 7.12 |
| 1993 | Toronto | Gail Devers (USA) | 6.95 CR | Irina Privalova (RUS) | 6.97 | Marina Kislova (UKR) | 7.21 |
| 1995 | Barcelona | Merlene Ottey (JAM) | 6.97 | Melanie Paschke (GER) | 7.10 | Carlette Guidry-White (USA) | 7.11 |
| 1997 | Paris | Gail Devers (USA) | 7.06 | Chandra Sturrup (BAH) | 7.15 | Frédérique Bangué (FRA) | 7.17 |
| 1999 | Maebashi | Ekaterini Thanou (GRE) | 6.96 | Gail Devers (USA) | 7.02 | Philomena Mensah (CAN) | 7.07 |
| 2001 | Lisbon | Chandra Sturrup (BAH) | 7.05 | Angela Williams (USA) | 7.09 | Chryste Gaines (USA) | 7.12 |
| 2003 | Birmingham | Angela Williams (USA) | 7.16 | Torri Edwards (USA) | 7.17 | Christine Arron (FRA) | 7.20 |
| 2004 | Budapest | Gail Devers (USA) | 7.08 | Kim Gevaert (BEL) | 7.12 | Yuliya Nestsiarenka (BLR) | 7.12 |
| 2006 | Moscow | Me'Lisa Barber (USA) | 7.01 | Lauryn Williams (USA) | 7.01 | Kim Gevaert (BEL) | 7.11 |
| 2008 | Valencia | Angela Williams (USA) | 7.06 | Jeanette Kwakye (GBR) | 7.08 | Tahesia Harrigan (IVB) | 7.09 |
| 2010 | Doha | Veronica Campbell-Brown (JAM) | 7.00 | Carmelita Jeter (USA) | 7.05 | Alena Rebethin (GER) | 7.10 |
| 2012 | Istanbul | Veronica Campbell-Brown (JAM) | 7.01 | Murielle Ahouré (CIV) | 7.04 | Tianna Madison (USA) | 7.09 |
| 2014 | Sopot | Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (JAM) | 6.98 | Murielle Ahouré (CIV) | 7.01 | Tianna Bartoletta (USA) | 7.06 |
| 2016 | Portland | Barbara Pierre (USA) | 7.02 | Dafne Schippers (NED) | 7.04 | Elaine Thompson (JAM) | 7.06 |
| 2018 | Birmingham | Murielle Ahouré (CIV) | 6.97 | Marie-José Ta Lou (CIV) | 7.05 | Mujinga Kambundji (SUI) | 7.05 |
| 2022 | Belgrade | Mujinga Kambundji (SUI) | 6.96 | Mikiah Brisco (USA) | 6.99 | Marybeth Sant-Price (USA) | 7.04 |
| 2024 | Glasgow | Julien Alfred (LCA) | 6.98 | Ewa Swoboda (POL) | 7.00 | Zaynab Dosso (ITA) | 7.05 |
| 2025 | Nanjing | Mujinga Kambundji (SUI) | 7.04 | Zaynab Dosso (ITA) | 7.06 | Patrizia van der Weken (LUX) | 7.07 |
Men's medal table (1985–2025)
| Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 13 | 11 | 7 | 31 |
| GBR | 3 | 1 | 3 | 7 |
| CAN | 3 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| JAM | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| ITA | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| NGR | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| CUB | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| SKN | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Other nations (1 each) | 5 | 7 | 11 | 23 |
Women's medal table (1985–2025)
| Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 10 | 7 | 6 | 23 |
| JAM | 4 | 0 | 2 | 6 |
| NED | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| SUI | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| CIV | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| BAH | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| GRE | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Other nations (1 each) | 7 | 9 | 13 | 29 |
Annual bests
Men's season bests
The men's 60 metres season bests offer an annual overview of peak indoor sprinting performances, capturing the evolution of speed through technological, training, and competitive advancements. Pre-1980s data remains sparse due to inconsistent global documentation and varying meet standards, limiting comprehensive tracking to more recent decades. From the 1980s onward, season bests have trended downward from approximately 6.55 seconds to sub-6.40 levels, with notable accelerations in the 2010s driven by improved starting blocks, spikes, and biomechanics research. The 2018 season marked a high point, featuring Christian Coleman's world record of 6.34 seconds, the only sub-6.40 performance that season, alongside strong times like Su Bingtian's 6.42, spurred by high-stakes indoor series and the NCAA Championships.[3][45] Major indoor competitions, such as the World Athletics Indoor Championships, frequently influence these peaks by drawing top talent and fostering record-challenging conditions; for instance, the 2024 Glasgow edition saw Christian Coleman's 6.41 seconds eclipse prior marks amid championship pressure. Recent seasons reflect sustained American and European dominance, with occasional breakthroughs from other regions, though the all-time top 25 underscores how career peaks often align with these annual leads. Gaps in historical coverage persist, but ongoing digitization by World Athletics has updated records beyond early 2025 cutoffs, ensuring more accurate post-March 2025 performances like those from the 2025 indoor cycle.[46] The table below summarizes world-leading (season best) performances from 2015 to 2025, focusing on the fastest time each year, athlete details, and context; times are electronically timed and verified as personal or seasonal milestones where noted.| Year | Best time | Holder | Nationality | Date | Venue | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6.43 | Lachlan Kennedy | AUS | 25 Jan 2025 | AIS Athletics Track, Canberra (AUS) | Early-season lead; personal best |
| 2024 | 6.41 | Christian Coleman | USA | 1 Mar 2024 | Glasgow Arena, Glasgow (GBR) | World Indoor Championships final; world lead |
| 2023 | 6.42 | Trayvon Bromell | USA | 10 Feb 2023 | Clemson Indoor Track, Clemson (USA) | Pre-championship peak; personal best |
| 2022 | 6.41 | Lamont Marcell Jacobs | ITA | 19 Mar 2022 | Štark Arena, Beograd (SRB) | World Indoor Championships final; tied with Coleman |
| 2021 | 6.47 | Lamont Marcell Jacobs | ITA | 6 Mar 2021 | Arena, Toruń (POL) | European Indoor Championships final; personal best |
| 2020 | 6.44 | Ronnie Baker | USA | 19 Feb 2020 | Arena Stade Couvert, Liévin (FRA) | European indoor meet; world lead |
| 2019 | 6.47 | Bingtian Su | CHN | 16 Feb 2019 | Arena Birmingham, Birmingham (GBR) | World Indoor Tour; personal best |
| 2018 | 6.34 | Christian Coleman | USA | 18 Feb 2018 | Albuquerque, NM (USA) | World record; multiple sub-6.40s that season |
| 2017 | 6.45 | Ronnie Baker | USA | 5 Mar 2017 | Albuquerque, NM (USA) | Tied with Coleman; NCAA influence |
| 2016 | 6.44 | Asafa Powell | JAM | 18 Mar 2016 | Oregon Convention Center, Portland (USA) | World Indoor Championships final |
| 2015 | 6.47 | Kim Collins | SKN | 17 Feb 2015 | Łódź (POL) | World Indoor Tour; veteran milestone |
Women's season bests
The women's season bests in the 60 metres represent the fastest recorded time each indoor athletics season, typically from October to March, and serve as a key indicator of global sprinting form. These performances have progressively improved since the mid-20th century, reflecting advances in training, technology, and competition depth, though the world record of 6.92 seconds set by Irina Privalova on 11 February 1993 in Madrid remains unbeaten.[4] Early season bests were often above 7.10 seconds, but by the 1980s, athletes like Nelli Cooman pushed the envelope to 7.00 seconds on 23 February 1986 in Madrid, establishing a new benchmark that held for several years.[4] The 1990s marked a golden era with times consistently under 7.00, highlighted by Merlene Ottey's 6.96 on 14 February 1992 in Madrid and Privalova's record-setting run the following year.[4] In the 2000s and 2010s, season bests stabilized around 6.97–7.00 seconds, with notable peaks such as Veronica Campbell-Brown's 7.00 on 14 March 2010 in Doha and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce's matching 6.98 on 9 March 2014 in Sopot.[48][49] The 2020s have seen renewed intensity, with season bests frequently approaching the world record, driven by a new generation of sprinters; for instance, the COVID-impacted 2021 season still produced Ajla del Ponte's 7.03 on 7 March 2021 in Toruń, while 2023 featured dual 6.94 performances by Aleia Hobbs (18 February in Albuquerque) and Julien Alfred (11 March in Albuquerque).[50][51] The following table summarizes select recent season bests, illustrating the trend toward sub-7.00 consistency:| Year | Athlete(s) | Time | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Veronica Campbell-Brown | 7.00 | Doha (QAT) (i) | 14 Mar 2010 |
| 2014 | Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce | 6.98 | Sopot (POL) (i) | 9 Mar 2014 |
| 2016 | Dafne Schippers / Barbara Pierre | 7.00 | Berlin (GER) (i) / Portland, OR (USA) (i) | 13 Feb / 12 Mar 2016 |
| 2018 | Murielle Ahouré | 6.97 | Birmingham (GBR) (i) | 2 Mar 2018 |
| 2020 | Mikiah Brisco | 7.04 | Albuquerque, NM (USA) (i) | 15 Feb 2020 |
| 2021 | Ajla del Ponte | 7.03 | Toruń (POL) (i) | 7 Mar 2021 |
| 2022 | Mujinga Kambundji | 6.96 | Beograd (SRB) (i) | 18 Mar 2022 |
| 2023 | Aleia Hobbs / Julien Alfred | 6.94 | Albuquerque, NM (USA) (i) | 18 Feb / 11 Mar 2023 |
| 2024 | Julien Alfred / Ewa Swoboda | 6.98 | Glasgow (GBR) (i) | 2 Mar 2024 |
| 2025 | Zaynab Dosso | 7.01 | Apeldoorn (NED) (i) | 9 Mar 2025 |