Tyson Gay
The fastest American ever, a sprinter whose blistering 9.69-second 100m dash remains the national standard.
Born 1982 (age 44)·American sprinter·Birthday: August 9·Millennials
Biography
Tyson Gay emerged from Lexington, Kentucky, to shake the foundation of global sprinting in the late 2000s. At a time when Jamaican dominance seemed absolute, Gay became America's most potent challenger. His running style was characterized by a ferocious drive phase and explosive top-end speed. The pinnacle of his career came in 2009 at the World Championships in Berlin, where he clocked a staggering 9.71 seconds—a time that would have won almost any other race in history but was overshadowed by Usain Bolt's world record. Gay's American record of 9.69 seconds, set in Shanghai, still stands as a benchmark for U.S. sprinters. His career was also marked by significant challenges, including injuries and a later doping suspension that stripped him of an Olympic silver medal, casting a complex shadow over his undeniable talent and speed.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Tyson was born in 1982, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Tyson Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Tyson's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Turned 21
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2012Turned 30
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 40
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 44 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Set the American record in the 100 meters with a time of 9.69 seconds in 2009.
- Won three gold medals (100m, 200m, 4x100m) at the 2007 World Championships in Osaka.
- Is tied as the second-fastest man in history over 100 meters, alongside Yohan Blake.
Did You Know?
He ran his personal best 9.69 wearing a specially designed suit to reduce drag.
Gay's daughter, Trinity, was also a standout sprinter in high school.
He is a distant relative of the famous American poet, Paul Laurence Dunbar.
“I just go out there and run. I don't think about who's beside me.”
