Former Alabama Crimson Tide track and field star Calvin Smith was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. Smith was once known as the fastest man in the world setting a world record in the 100 meter dash in 1983 with a time of 9.93 seconds.
Smith also won a gold medal in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics as a member of the U.S. 4×100 meter relay team. He is most famously known for competing in the 1988 Seoul Olympic 100 meter dash against the likes of Ben Johnson and Carl Lewis.
As most sport fans know, this is the race that would forever stay in the mind of track and field fans because of Ben Johnson record setting performance, only to discover that Johnson was using steroids at the time. Calvin Smith, who originally finished in 4th place in the race, was later moved up to the bronze medal position.
As a former track and field athlete at the University of Alabama, it gives me great joy to see Calvin Smith’s accomplishments recognized. Smith, a very humble athlete, often lived in the shadow of great athletes such as Carl Lewis.
Calvin Smith still holds the UA school record for the 100 meter dash (9.93 s). As an alumnus of the University of Alabama, I would like to congratulate Calvin Smith’s induction into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.
By Dr. Brandon Spradley, the Director of Sports Management at the United States Sports Academy