ARMIN HARY LEGEND

Olympic Games Winner & Sprint Champion
Armin Hary at the Olympic Games in Rome.

FIRST MAN to run 10.0 seconds

After World War II, Armin grew up in a small village in southwestern Germany, where daily life revolved around the demanding work in the coal mines. Many families in the region lived in poverty, with incomes barely sufficient for one meal per day. Armin's family was even less fortunate than most. Despite these circumstances, he developed a passion for athletics and became a sprinter. In the winter of 1957, Armin trained relentlessly in the frozen forests near his home, driven by an unwavering vision to become the world's fastest man. His dedication ultimately paid off when he made history as the first man to run 100 meters in 10 seconds flat.

REBEL on the Track

Armin Hary at a Track&Field event wearing his iconic hat

In 1958, Armin Hary achieved victory at the Stockholm Championships and set a remarkable new world record. His time of 10.0 seconds in the 100-meter sprint was an extraordinary accomplishment for that era. However, the German athletics authorities refused to ratify his record due to a minor technical violation - the track surface exceeded the maximum allowable incline by one millimeter. Devastated by this decision, Hary temporarily relocated to California, where he expanded his network and explored innovative training methodologies. Yet he ultimately realized his true path lay back in Germany, where he needed to definitively prove himself as the world's fastest man.

An EPIC frozen in Time

Upon returning to Germany from California, Armin resumed his rigorous training regimen while working at a small shop in Frankfurt. One day, he received an unexpected call from Switzerland inviting him to attempt breaking the world record. He promptly traveled to Zurich aboard a transport plane. Though his first two attempts were unsuccessful, Armin persevered and on his third try, he successfully set a new world record, officially establishing himself as the world's fastest man. Building on this momentum, he went on to win two gold medals at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome. His achievement in the 100-meter sprint remains unmatched, as no other European athlete has won an Olympic gold medal in this event since his historic victory.

sprint olympic games
Illustration of sprinter Armin Hary

THIEF OF STARTS

In 1960, no one was faster out
of the blocks than Armin Hary.
And no one was more resilient
in proving his doubters wrong.

Renowned illustrators from Berlin, London and New York have crafted an exquisite visual narrative chronicling the remarkable journey of Armin Hary's life.

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