American · Kansas City, Kansas · Born 23 July 1974Former 100m world record holder.
Maurice Greene was born on 23 July 1974 in Kansas City, Kansas, and attended F.L. Schlagle High School before competing collegiately for the University of Kansas, developing into a promising but unfulfilled sprinter in his home state. Greene drove to Los Angeles with his father in the fall of 1996 to ask renowned coach John Smith to help him get faster, joining the famed HSI training group that would go on to produce multiple world champions and Olympic medallists. Greene delivered a breakthrough performance less than a year later, defeating reigning Olympic champion Donovan Bailey to win the 100m title at the 1997 World Championships in Athens, reportedly breaking down in tears with his coach after the race. Greene set the world record in the 100m at 9.79 seconds in 1999, and became the first sprinter to win both the 100m and 200m titles at a single World Championships that same year, later building a career as a television personality and coach following his retirement from competition.
Sprinter
Lasting Impact
One of the greatest sprinters in history, held 100m world record for 9 years
Career Honours
- 2000 Olympic gold 100m & 4x100m
- 1997,1999,2001 World champ 100m
- WR 9.79
American Athletes