| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men’s athletics | ||
| Competitor for United States | ||
| IAAF World Cup | ||
| Gold | 1979 Montreal | 100 m |
James Sanford, born December 27, 1957 , is a retired track and field sprinter from the United States, best known for setting the 1981 world's best year performance in the men's 200 metres. He did so on 1981-05-10 at a meet in Westwood, California, clocking 20.20. A year earlier, at the same meet, Sanford set the unofficial low altitude world record in the 100 metres at 10.02, a mark which stood for just over a year, when it was edged by Carl Lewis.
While running for John Muir High School, Sanford won the 400 metres, anchored his team to victory in the 4x400 metres relay and was second in the 200 metres (a race brother Michael was to win the next two years) at the 1977 CIF California State Meet, before moving on to the University of Southern California where he would be in the world sprint rankings for the next four years.[1] Sanford still holds the school records in the 100 metres and 200 metres--a statement all the more impressive considering some of the people who have been through the program including Olympic sprint Gold Medalists Lennox Miller, Don Quarrie, Mel Patton and Quincy Watts. Along with Michael he also is on the school record holding 4x100 metres relay team.
In 1979, Sanford was the 1979 IAAF World Cup Champion at 100 metres.[2] Sanford was the favorite going in to the 1980 Summer Olympics boycott marred United States Olympic Trials (track and field), but was beaten first by a young Carl Lewis, then finished third in the 100 metres at the NCAA Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championships before injuring himself in the 200 metres, ending his season.[3]
| Sporting positions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Steve Williams |
Men's 100m Champion IAAF World Cup 1979 |
Succeeded by Allan Wells |
| Preceded by Pietro Mennea |
Men's 200m Best Year Performance 1981 |
Succeeded by Mike Miller |
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