Jim Hines

Havana, June 5 (RHC).- American Jim Hines, the first human to go below the 10 flat in 100m, died over the weekend in his country at the age of 76, announced the publication Athletics Weekly.

Hines was one of the stars of his country's golden generation that accomplished several feats at the Mexico '68 Olympics, where he won two gold medals and set two world records, in the 4x100 relay and the 100m.

As a member of the 1968 champion relay, Hines competed with Hermes Ramírez, Juan Morales, Pablo Montes and Enrique Figuerola, members of the silver medalist Cuban relay.

World Athletics (WA), the highest athletics entity in the world, expressed its deep sadness for his death on its official website and recalled his Olympic feat and passages of his career.

"In addition to being the 1968 Olympic 100-meter champion, Hines is best known for being the first man to officially break the 10-second barrier in the 100 meters (9.95)," it said in a note.

He recalled that Hines was born in Dumas, Arkansas, in September 1946, but grew up in Oakland, California, and prior to track and field practiced baseball.

He added that Hines' world record lasted 15 years, the longest of all men's 100 m world records in the fully automatic era, before Calvin Smith finally broke it in 1983 with 9.93.

After retiring from track and field in late 1968, Hines went on to play in the NFL for the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs. He later worked with inner-city youth in Houston.