Jamaica’s oldest living Olympian turned 100 years old in July. Hyacinth Walters 🇯🇲 helped pave the way for Caribbean sprinting. She emerged following World War II, representing her nation for the first time at the CAC Games in Barranquilla, where she won a bronze in the 50m and teamed up to win a silver in the 4x100m relay. At the very same competition in 1950, she swept her events and walked away with three gold medals in 50m, 100m, and 4x100m. Walters qualified for the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, much to her delight. She had missed the previous Olympics in London, largely due to the economic difficulties of the newly formed Jamaica Olympic Association. At the 1952 Olympics, she cemented her place in history by being one of only two female athletes to represent her country, and while she was unable to make it out of the qualifying rounds of the 100m and 200m, she laid down the foundation for all the athletes since. After winning a pair of silver medals at her third consecutive CAC Games in 1954, she retired from the sport and relocated to New York and later Miami following her 90th birthday. As of 2026, Hyacinth Walters remains one of the oldest living Olympians in the world.

While 8 October may be just another day for some, it marked the end of an era in women’s sprinting. Valerie Brisco-Hooks, Florence Griffith Joyner, and Marlies Göhr lined up on the track for the final time 38 years ago today at the Toshiba Super Track & Field Meet in Tokyo. In torrential rain, Brisco-Hooks contested her signature 400m event, while Flo-Jo and Göhr competed in the 100m. After the conclusion of the 100m, Flo-Jo presented a bouquet to Göhr to mark her retirement. Unbeknownst to everyone at the time, this event would also be Flo-Jo’s last appearance on the track. 📸 Tony Duffy & Professional Sport

After finishing fourth, then winning bronze and silver medals, Merlene Ottey finally claimed gold in the women’s 60m at the 1995 World Athletics Indoor Championships! 🥇 She clocked a time of 6.97 seconds. This would be her final appearance at the World Indoors until 2003, when she won a bronze medal aged 42.