Before establishing himself as the "World's Fastest Human" sprinter extraordinaire Jim Hines showed his promise at McClymonds High School in Oakland Calif. where he was undefeated in the 100-yard and 220-yardand tied the 100-yard national prep school record with a time of 9.4 seconds. As a student at Texas Southern University Hines was the AAU 220-yard champion in 1966 and won the 100-yard dash at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics championship meet in 1967. That year he also tied the world 100-yard dash record of 9.1 at the California Relays in Modesto. In 1968 Hines was one of three sprinters who ran the 100 meters in 9.9 seconds--all in the semifinals of the National AAUs in Sacramento. Hines actually finished second in the finals to fellow record-holder Charles Greene before winning the Olympic trials.

At the Mexico City Olympics Hines established his "World's Fastest" title winning the 100 Meter dash in a world-record time of 9.95 that remained unsurpassed for 15 years longer than anyone before or since. He holds the coveted distinction of being the first to ever break the 10-second barrier. In the 4 x 100 Meter relay he took the baton for the anchor leg in third place before propelling the U.S. to victory in a world record time of 38.24. If that wasn’t enough after retiring from track and field Hines played parts of two seasons in the NFL as a wide receiver with the Dolphins and Chiefs.In 1979 Hines was voted into the USA National Track and Field Hall of Fame.

This lot features the beautiful 10K gold ring he was awarded upon his induction. The size 10.5 ring reads “NATIONAL TRACK & FIELD HALL OF FAME USA” around its face in raised lettering with a map of the United States boasting a single small diamond. The outside of the face sports eight engraved figures representing various track & field events. Bothshanks feature raised celebratory wreaths with “HINES” engraved on one side and “1979” on the other. The interior band is marked “JOSTENS 10K” and his name – “Jimmy Hines” is engraved. Truly a key piece of track & field memorabilia from one of the world’s fastest humans in history.

Provenance: Hines used this ring(plus his two gold medals) as collateral formultiple loans from a local Oakland pawn shop in the early 1980’s. Eachtime he needed to take out money he signed a new slip. In fact theentire book of receipts with the exact dates of each transaction havebeen kept intact for verification. Ultimately Hines relinquished legal ownership of the items to the pawn shop. The original loan slips for eachparticular piece will be available to the winning bidder upon request.