A list compiling the ten fastest human beings of all time that have never served doping bans
Track and field fans are always excited to see who will emerge as the fastest man in the 100-meter dash.
In a post-Usain Bolt world, the 2024 season brought intense competition, with Olympic finals decided by mere hundredths of a second.
While some of the fastest sprinters have been tainted by doping suspensions, here’s a look at the 10 quickest men in history who have never served doping bans.
10. Richard Thompson (9.82 seconds)
Personal Best: 9.82 seconds (2014)
Notable Achievement: 2008 Olympic silver medalist
Nationality: Trinidad and Tobago
Richard Thompson’s 9.82-second sprint in 2014 still stands as one of the fastest of all time. He is best known for his silver-medal finish behind Usain Bolt in the 2008 Olympics.
9. Akani Simbine (9.82 seconds)
Personal Best: 9.82 seconds (2024 Olympics)
Notable Achievement: South African Record Holder, 1X Olympic medalist
Nationality: South Africa
In the 2024 Olympic final, Akani Simbine clocked 9.82 seconds, placing 4th, just missing out on a medal. His time stands as the national record for South Africa. He did however clinch silver with the relay team at the same games.
8. Oblique Seville
Personal Best: 9.81 seconds (2024)
Notable Achievement: Consistent Finalist at World Championships
Nationality: Jamaica
Oblique Seville ran 9.81 seconds in the semifinals of the 2024 Olympics, besting the eventual gold medalist in that round. At just 23, his future in sprinting looks incredibly promising.
7. Lamont-Marcel Jacobs
Personal Best: 9.80 seconds (2021)
Notable Achievement: 2021 Olympic Gold Medalist
Nationality: Italy
Lamont-Marcel Jacobs stunned the world with his 9.80-second sprint at the Tokyo Olympics, securing a historic gold medal for Italy. Although injuries slowed him down, he managed 9.85 seconds in the 2024 Olympic final.
6. Noah Lyles
Personal Best: 9.79 seconds (2024)
Notable Achievement: 2023 World Champion
Nationality: USA
Noah Lyles barely edged out Kishane Thompson to win gold in the 2024 Olympic 100-meter final with a 9.79-second finish. He’s one of the biggest names in sprinting today and remains a force to be reckoned with.
5. Maurice Greene
Personal Best: 9.79 seconds (1999)
Notable Achievement: 2000 Olympic Gold Medalist, 3x World Champion
Nationality: USA
Although Maurice Greene faced allegations during his career, he was never suspended. His 9.79 seconds, paired with multiple World Championships and an Olympic title, makes him one of the all-time sprinting greats.
4. Kishane Thompson
Personal Best: 9.77 seconds (2024)
Notable Achievement: 2024 Olympic 100 meter silver medalist
Nationality: Jamaica
Kishane Thompson’s breakthrough 9.77-second performance at the Jamaican trials set the stage for what many believed would be an outstanding Olympics, and even though he did not get the medal he ideally would have wanted, he still won silver for his performance in the 100 meter final in Paris after overcoming setbacks. The future looks bright for the 23-year-old.
3. Fred Kerley
Personal Best: 9.76 seconds (2022)
Notable Achievement: 2022 World Champion, 2x Olympic Medalist
Nationality: USA
Fred Kerley consistently ran sub-9.8 times in 2022, including his personal best of 9.76 seconds. He has claimed both World Championship and Olympic medals, making him one of the top sprinters of this era.
2. Trayvon Bromell
Personal Best: 9.76 seconds (2021)
Notable Achievement: 2022 World Championship Bronze Medalist
Nationality: USA
Trayvon Bromell is one of the fastest sprinters in the post-Bolt era, having clocked 9.76 seconds in 2021. Injuries have often hampered his career, but when healthy, he’s a serious contender for any race.
1. Usain Bolt
Personal Best: 9.58 seconds (2009)
Notable Achievement: 8x Olympic Gold Medalist, 11x World Champion
Nationality: Jamaica
No surprises here. Usain Bolt stands alone at the top with his world-record 9.58-second run in 2009. Not only did he avoid any doping suspensions, but his entire career is marked by dominance that no one has yet come close to matching.