Introduction
A lot of aspiring sprinters worry about if they are too short or ‘tall enough’ (or maybe in some cases, that they are too tall). So, who are the shortest and tallest Olympic sprinters? Some examples of short Olympic sprinters are, Su Bingtian (172cm), Maurice Greene (176cm) and Nesta Carter (172cm), whereas some of the tallest Olympic sprinters are Usain Bolt (195cm) and Zharnel Hughes (195cm).
The Olympic Games are the epitome of human athletic ability and a showcase of the world’s best athletes. From sprinting to gymnastics, the games provide a platform for individuals to display their talent and push the boundaries of what is possible.
Among the many events at the Olympics, the sprinting events have always been a crowd favorite. With their explosive speed and power, sprinters capture the attention of millions of spectators. However, not all sprinters are created equal and elite sprinters come in all shapes and sizes.
While each type of sprinter has its own strengths and weaknesses, both shortest and tallest Olympic sprinters have proven that success in sprinting is not solely dependent on height.
The Shortest Olympic Sprinters
At first glance, it may seem that being a shorter sprinter would be a disadvantage, as longer legs generally translate to a longer stride length and increased speed. However, the shortest Olympic sprinters have proven time and time again that size doesn’t determine success. The primary challenge faced by shortest sprinters is that their stride length is generally limited. However, this is generally compensated for by shorter sprinters generally having a greater stride frequency.
Despite their height, the shortest Olympic sprinters have made their mark on the Games, breaking records and leaving a lasting impact. One example of this is with Su Bingtian, who stands at roughly 5ft 7 – 5ft 8, who at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics ran a time of 9.83 seconds for the 100m and in the process becoming the fastest Asian person in history.
Remarkably, Su ran the first 60m of this race in a time of 6.29 seconds, which is the fastest 60m split of all time (for contact, Usain Bolt ran a time of 6.31 for the first 60m when he ran his still current World Record time of 9.58 seconds).
Su Bingtian – who stands at 5 ft 7 to 5 ft 8 – holds the record for the fastest 60m split of all time at 6.29s.
Another shorter sprinter was Maurice Greene, who at 5ft 9 held the World Record 100m sprint time of 9.79, was a 5-time World Champion and a 4-time Olympic medalist.
Some other notable shortest sprinters include Jamaica’s Don Quarrie (5ft 9 – 175cm), who won four Olympic medals in 1976 and 1980 as well as Jamaica’s Nesta Carter (~5ft 8), who was part of the relay team that holds the current the 4x100m World Record.
To overcome their height disadvantage, the shortest sprinters rely on a low centre of gravity and a high stride rate. By staying low to the ground and taking quick, powerful strides, they are generally able to accelerate faster and reach higher speeds faster in the beginning portion of races. This partially explains why short sprinters tend to do better at shorter races, especially 60m races. If you’re a taller sprinter wanting to learn how to accelerate better, check out this article here where I discuss ideal acceleration mechanics.
Maurice Greene is another shorter sprinter who was also a World Record holder and multiple-time Olympic medallist.
The Tallest Olympic Sprinters
At the other end of the spectrum, taller sprinters have certain advantages that make them well suited for sprinting. With longer legs and a higher stride length, taller sprinters are able to cover more ground with each step, leading to increased speed and efficiency.
Over the years, the tallest Olympic sprinters have made their mark on the Games, breaking records and winning multiple medals. Of course, the most famous example of a tall sprinter is Usain Bolt, standing at 6 ft 5, or 195cm, who is widely considered to be the greatest sprinter of all time. Bolt currently holds the record for both the 100m and 200m sprinters, at 9.58 and 19.19 seconds respectively.
The current 100m world record holder, Usain Bolt, along with some other relatively tall sprinters Justin Gatlin (1.85cm) and Zharnel Hughes (1.95cm).
Some other notable tall sprinters include Carl Lewis (multiple time Olympic medalist sprinter and long jumper), Asafa Powell (having the 4th fastest 100m time of all time at 9.72) and Tommie Smith, who won the 200m gold at the 1968 Mexico City Games.
The taller sprinters use their height and long strides to their advantage, relying on a combination of speed and endurance to reach the finish line first. By taking longer strides and covering more ground with each step, they are able to build up a significant amount of speed and maintain it for longer. This helps explain why taller sprinters are generally better at 200m sprints than shorter sprinters (whereas I explained earlier, shorter sprinters are generally better at shorter sprints).
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Comparison of Shortest and Tallest Olympic Sprinters
Whether you’re a shorter or a taller sprinter, each body type has its typical distinct advantages and disadvantages, and it’s important to be aware of each so that your training can be more targeted.
The shortest sprinters have the advantage of a lower center of gravity and quicker stride rate, while the tallest sprinters have the advantage of a longer stride length.
One of the greatest (the greatest?) tall sprinters of all time – Usain Bolt, along with one of the greatest shorter sprinters of all time, Su Bingtian.
One interesting aspect of the sport of sprinting is how the different types of sprinters can complement each other in relay races. By having a mixture of shortest and tallest sprinters on a relay team, coaches can take advantage of the strengths of each type of runner, creating a well-rounded and competitive team.
Ultimately, height is just one factor in determining success in sprinting, and both the shortest and tallest Olympic sprinters have proven that success is possible through hard work, determination, and the right training and technique. Whether you’re the shortest or tallest runner, it’s important to focus on developing your strengths and improving your weaknesses.
Conclusion
In this post I’ve highlighted the unique advantages and challenges faced by shortest and tallest Olympic sprinters, and how both types of runners have made their mark on the sport. We have seen how height is just one factor in determining success in sprinting, and that success is possible for runners of all shapes and sizes.
The key takeaway from this discussion is the importance of hard work, determination, and the right training and technique in achieving success in sprinting. Whether you’re the shortest or tallest runner, focusing on developing your strengths, improving your weaknesses, and not getting caught up dwelling on things you cannot change.
For aspiring sprinters, this discussion provides encouragement that success is possible, no matter your height. With hard work, determination, and the right training and technique, you can achieve your goals and make your mark on the sport of sprinting.
Cheers, Jack.
