Leroy Burrell

Leroy Russel Burrell (born February 21, 1967) is an American former track and field athlete, who twice set the world record for the 100 m sprint.

Leroy Burrell
Personal information
Full nameLeroy Russel Burrell
NationalityAmerican
Born (1967-02-21) February 21, 1967
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
ResidenceHouston, Texas, U.S.
Height6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight180 lb (82 kg)
Sport
SportTrack and field
Event(s)Sprints and long jump
College teamHouston Cougars (1985-1990)
ClubSanta Monica Track Club
Coached byTom Tellez[1]
Retired1998[2]
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)
  • 60 m: 6.48 s (1991)
  • 100 m: 9.86 s (1994)
  • 200 m: 20.12 s (1992)
  • Long jump: 8.37 m (1989)
Medal record
Men’s athletics
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
1992 Barcelona 4×100 m relay
World Championships
1991 Tokyo 4×100 m relay
1993 Stuttgart 4×100 m relay
1991 Tokyo 100 m
Goodwill Games
1990 Seattle 100 m
1994 St. Petersburg 100 m
World Cup
1989 Barcelona 100 m

Early life

Burrell grew up in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania, and attended Penn Wood High School, where he single-handedly won the state championship by winning the 100 m, 200 m, long jump, and triple jump. Suffering from poor eyesight accentuated by a childhood eye injury, he was poor at other sports, but excelled on the track from an early age.

Professional career

Burrell was plagued by injuries and bad luck throughout his career, particularly around major championships. He won gold in the 100 m ahead of Carl Lewis at the 1990 Goodwill Games in Seattle. He won the silver in the 100 m behind Lewis at the 1991 World Championships. At the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Burrell false-started in the 100 m final. When the race finally restarted, his reaction off the line was slow, and he finished fifth. He did manage to win a relay gold as part of the U.S. 4 × 100 m team.

On May 19, 1990, Burrell ran a wind-assisted 200 m at College Station, Texas, in a time of 19.61 seconds. The wind speed was +4.0 m per second. This was the fastest time for the 200 m for over six years until the 1996 Olympic final in Atlanta, where Michael Johnson ran 19.32 seconds.

He first set the world record in June 1991 with a time of 9.90 seconds. This was broken that September by Carl Lewis who ran 9.86 sec at the 1991 World Track and Field Championships where Burrell finished second in a new personal best time of 9.88 sec. In July 1994, Burrell set the world record for the second time when he ran 9.85 sec (a record that stood until the 1996 Olympics when Donovan Bailey ran 9.84 sec).

Since his retirement in 1998, Burrell has replaced his old college mentor, Tom Tellez, as coach of the University of Houston's track team. Burrell has led UH to 14 men's Conference USA titles (nine indoor, five outdoor) and nine women's titles (four indoor, five outdoor). He was inducted into the Texas Track and Field Coaches Hall of Fame in 2014.[3]

Personal life

Burrell married Michelle Finn, also a sprinter, in 1994, and they have three sons: Cameron, a sprinter for the Houston Cougars,[4] Joshua, and Jaden. On June 7, 2017, Cameron joined his father in the sub-10 second club. Burrell's younger sister Dawn also competed in track and field at the highest level and she was a world indoor champion in the long jump.

Statistics

Information from IAAF profile unless otherwise noted.[5]

World records

Includes former all-conditions world best in the 200 meters. All world records are former as of May 24, 2014.

EventTime (s)CompetitionVenueDateNotes
60 m6.48Madrid indoor meetMadrid, SpainFebruary 13, 1991[note 1] [6][7]
100 m9.90U.S. ChampionshipsNew York, New York, U.S.June 14, 1991+1.8 m/s wind [note 2] [1][9][10]
9.85Athletissima LausanneLausanne, SwitzerlandJuly 6, 1994+1.2 m/s wind [note 3] [11][12]
200 m19.61SWC ChampionshipsCollege Station, Texas, U.S.May 19, 1990+4.1 m/s wind, w[note 4] [13]
4 × 100 m relay37.79Herculis MonacoMonacoAugust 3, 1991[note 5] [14]
37.67Weltklasse ZürichZürich, SwitzerlandAugust 7, 1991[note 6] [15]
37.50World ChampionshipsTokyo, JapanSeptember 1, 1991Former CR[note 7] [16]
37.40Olympic GamesBarcelona, SpainAugust 8, 1992Former OR[note 8] [17][18]
37.40World ChampionshipsStuttgart, GermanyAugust 21, 1993Former CR[note 9] [19][20]
4 × 200 m relay1:19.38Koblenz meetKoblenz, GermanyAugust 23, 1989[note 10] [21]
1:19.11Penn RelaysPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.April 23, 1992[note 11] [22][23]
1:18.68Mt. SAC RelaysWalnut, California, U.S.April 17, 1994[note 12] [24]

Personal bests

Sprints
EventTime (s)Wind (m/s)CompetitionVenueDateNotes
55 m6.09n/aHouston indoor meetHouston, Texas, U.S.January 28, 1991
60 m6.48n/aMadrid indoor meetMadrid, SpainFebruary 13, 1991Former WR[note 1] [6][7]
100 m9.85+1.2Athletissima LausanneLausanne, SwitzerlandJuly 6, 1994Former WR[note 3] [11][12]
200 m20.12−0.8U.S. Olympic TrialsNew Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.June 27, 1992
19.61+4.1SWC ChampionshipsCollege Station, Texas, U.S.May 19, 1990w[note 4] [13]
4 × 100 m relay37.40n/aOlympic GamesBarcelona, SpainAugust 8, 1992Former WR, OR[note 8] [17][18]
World ChampionshipsStuttgart, GermanyAugust 21, 1993Former WR, CR[note 9] [19][20]
4 × 200 m relay1:18.68n/aMt. SAC RelaysWalnut, California, U.S.April 17, 1994Former WR[note 12] [24]

Jumps
EventMark (m)Wind (m/s)CompetitionVenueDateNotes
Long jump8.37+0.4NCAA Division I ChampionshipsProvo, Utah, U.S.June 2, 1989
Long jump indoor8.23n/aNCAA Division I Indoor ChampionshipsIndianapolis, Indiana, U.S.March 9, 1990

International championship results
Year Competition Venue Position EventTimeWind Notes
Representing the  United States
1989World CupBarcelona, Spain2nd100 m10.15+0.5
1990Goodwill GamesSeattle, Washington, U.S.1st100 m10.05+1.1
1991World ChampionshipsTokyo, Japan2nd100 m9.88+1.2PB
6th (qf 4)200 m21.21−0.7
1st4 × 100 m relay37.50n/aWR, CR[note 7] [16]
1992Olympic GamesBarcelona, Spain5th100 m10.10+0.5
1st4 × 100 m relay37.40n/aWR, OR[note 8] [17][18]
1993World ChampionshipsStuttgart, Germany1st4 × 100 m relay37.40n/aWR, CR[note 9] [19][20]
1994Goodwill GamesSt. Petersburg, Russia2nd100 m10.11−1.9

National championship results
Year Competition Venue Position EventTimeWind Notes
Representing the Houston Cougars and Santa Monica Track Club
1988NCAA Division I ChampionshipsEugene, Oregon, U.S.7thLong jumpn/a+4.18.06 m, w
5th100 m10.31+0.4
U.S. Olympic TrialsIndianapolis, Indiana, U.S.6th (semi 2)100 m10.10+4.9w
1989U.S. Indoor ChampionshipsNew York, New York, U.S.1st55 m6.15n/a
NCAA Division I Indoor ChampionshipsIndianapolis, Indiana, U.S.1stLong jumpn/an/a8.09 m
2nd55 m6.11n/a
NCAA Division I ChampionshipsProvo, Utah, U.S.2ndLong jumpn/a+0.48.37 m, PB
5th100 m10.19+2.4w
U.S. ChampionshipsHouston, Texas, U.S.1st100 m9.94+0.8WL, PB
1990NCAA Division I Indoor ChampionshipsIndianapolis, Indiana, U.S.1stLong jumpn/an/a8.23 m
NCAA Division I ChampionshipsDurham, North Carolina, U.S.1st100 m9.94+2.4w
U.S. ChampionshipsNorwalk, California, U.S.4thLong jumpn/a+4.18.06 m, w
1991U.S. ChampionshipsNew York, New York, U.S.1st100 m9.90+1.9WR [1][9][10]
2nd200 m20.42−2.0
1992U.S. Indoor ChampionshipsNew York, New York, U.S.1st60 m6.55n/a
U.S. Olympic TrialsNew Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.3rd100 m10.10−0.7
5th200 m20.16+1.0
1993U.S. ChampionshipsEugene, Oregon, U.S.5th100 m10.15+4.8w
4th200 m20.35+2.5w
1995U.S. ChampionshipsSacramento, California, U.S.5th100 m10.31−1.2
1996U.S. Indoor ChampionshipsAtlanta, Georgia, U.S.4th60 m6.60n/a[27]
U.S. Olympic TrialsAtlanta, Georgia, U.S.6th100 m10.07+1.1[27]
1997U.S. ChampionshipsIndianapolis, Indiana, U.S.6th100 m10.09+0.2

Circuit wins

Overall

100 meters

Notes
  1. American Andre Cason broke Leroy Burrell's 6.48 s world record in the 60 m a year later with a time of 6.45 s.[25]
  2. American Carl Lewis broke Leroy Burrell's 9.90 s world record in the 100 m two months later at the 1991 World Championships with a time of 9.86 s.[8]
  3. Canadian Donovan Bailey broke Leroy Burrel's 9.85 s world record in the 100 m two years later at the 1996 Summer Olympics with a time of 9.84 s.[26]
  4. Though the race was wind-assisted and therefore ineligible for the official IAAF world record, at the time it was the fastest anyone had ever run the 200 m in any conditions.[13]
  5. Shared with Americans Michael Marsh, Floyd Heard, and Carl Lewis for the Santa Monica Track Club.[14]
  6. Shared with Americans Michael Marsh, Dennis Mitchell, and Carl Lewis for the U.S.[15]
  7. Shared with Americans Andre Cason, Dennis Mitchell, and Carl Lewis for the U.S.[16]
  8. Shared with Americans Michael Marsh, Dennis Mitchell, and Carl Lewis for the U.S.[17][18]
  9. Shared with Americans Jon Drummond, Andre Cason, and Dennis Mitchell for the U.S.[19][20]
  10. Shared with Americans Danny Everett, Floyd Heard, and Carl Lewis for the Santa Monica Track Club.[21]
  11. Shared with Americans Michael Marsh, Floyd Heard, and Carl Lewis for the Santa Monica Track Club.[22][23]
  12. Shared with Americans Michael Marsh, Floyd Heard, and Carl Lewis for the Santa Monica Track Club.[24]

References
  1. "Burrell Makes His Mark In The 100 -- Sprinter Edges Training Partner Lewis In 9.90 For World Record". seattletimes.com. Seattle Times. June 15, 1991. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  2. "Leroy Burrell". uhcougars.com. Houston Cougars. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2017-01-16. Retrieved 2017-01-15.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. Jeré Longman (May 23, 2013). "In His Parents' Very Fast Footsteps". nytimes.com. New York Times. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  5. "Leroy BURRELL | Profile". iaaf.org. IAAF. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  6. "BURRELL BEATS WORLD MARK IN 60-METER DASH-TWICE". chicagotribune.com. Chicago Tribune. February 14, 1991. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  7. Juan José Fernández (February 15, 1991). "El récord anulado a Burrell, una discusión de centésimas". elpais.com. El Pais. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  8. Kenny Moore (September 2, 1991). "THE GREAT RACE". si.com. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  9. Wayne Coffey (June 15, 1991). "BURRELL NEW KING OF 100 METERS". orlandosentinel.com. Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  10. Merrell Noden (July 1, 1991). "SUPER POWER". si.com. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 27, 2019.
  11. The Associated Press (July 7, 1994). "Burrell Eclipses 100-Meter Mark : Track and Field: Time of 9.85 seconds at Swiss meet surpasses Carl Lewis' record of 9.86". latimes.com. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  12. Frank Litsky (July 7, 1994). "TRACK AND FIELD; Leroy Burrell Breaks Mark For 100 Meters". nytimes.com. New York Times. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  13. "Burrell Rides Wind to 19.61 in 200". latimes.com. Los Angeles Times. May 20, 1990. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  14. "Santa Monica team ties world 400 relay..." baltimoresun.com. The Baltimore Sun. August 4, 1991. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  15. "U.S. REGAINS 400 RELAY RECORD". chicagotribune.com. Chicago Tribune. August 8, 1991. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  16. Enrico Jacomini (September 2, 1991). "U.S. SETS WORLD RECORD IN THE 4X100-METER RELAY". deseretnews.com. Deseret News. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  17. Julie Cart (August 9, 1992). "BARCELONA '92 OLYMPICS / Day 15 : Now, Their Silence is Golden : Track: U.S. sprinters, earlier outspoken and feuding, set world records in men's 400 and 1,600 relays. Women place first in 400 and second in 1,600". latimes.com. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  18. Bill Glauber (August 9, 1992). "Anchoring his place in history Lewis leads 400 team to gold, world record". baltimoresun.com. The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  19. Frank Litsky (August 22, 1993). "TRACK & FIELD; U.S. Men Equal World Record in 400-Meter Relay". nytimes.com. New York Times. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  20. Bert Rosenthal (August 22, 1993). "U.S. RELAY TEAM SHOWS IT DOESN'T NEED CARL LEWIS". deseretnews.com. Deseret News. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  21. "Lewis Anchors 800-Meter Relay Record". latimes.com. Los Angeles Times. August 23, 1989. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  22. Paul McMullen (April 26, 1992). "Lewis' anchor leg clinches world record in 4x200 at Penn Relays Mark set despite faulty transfer". baltimoresun.com. The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  23. Frank Litsky (April 26, 1992). "TRACK AND FIELD; A World Mark in 800-Meter Relay". nytimes.com. New York Times. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  24. Randy Harvey (April 18, 1994). "Lewis and Friends Smash 800-Meter Relay World Record". latimes.com. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  25. "U.S. SPRINTER BREAKS WORLD MARK". chicagotribune.com. Chicago Tribune. January 30, 1992. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  26. Tim Huebsch (July 29, 2016). "Remembering Canada's greatest Olympic moments: Donovan Bailey wins 100m gold". runningmagazine.ca. Canadian Running Magazine. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  27. "1996 Olympic Team Trials - Men's Results". usatf.org. USATF. June 23, 1996. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  28. "Burrell Beats Lewis Again in 100-Meter Dash". latimes.com. Los Angeles Times. September 8, 1990. Retrieved April 27, 2019.

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