It was more than enough, though, to get him into the final.
The form book had him down as a red-hot favourite. “Bullet” Bob Hayes recorded a 8.5 second (hand time) 4×100 meter anchor relay leg at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. The 100m title went to Bob Hayes, probably one of the fastest runners who has ever lived and certainly one of the most successful, even though his career was short. In the run-up to the Olympic Games, he appeared entirely unbeatable, winning each of 49 races in which he took part between 1962 and 1964. The team time of 39.06 seconds was also a new world record. It was the 49th win in a row – Hayes only lost once over 100m, and never over 100 yards (91.4m).After the Games, Hayes transferred to playing professional American football and was a huge success. Hayes was also wearing borrowed spikes, because one of his own pair was lost when it was kicked under his bed in the athletes’ village. The 100m title went to Bob Hayes, probably one of the fastest runners who has ever lived and certainly one of the most successful, even though his career was short. "He failed to handle life after sport and was jailed for selling cocaine in 1979.Afterwards, Drayton is said to have replied, "That’s all we need, pal. He recorded a time of 9.91 seconds, which would have smashed the world record, but was not recognised because it was wind-assisted. He was placed in Lane 1, which had to be raked over after being badly dug up by athletes at the start of the 20km walk. "Hayes left the Cowboys for the San Francisco 49ers in 1975 but was cut within months after failing to show his former spark.USA were lagging behind in fifth place with at least two metres to make up on the rest of the field when Hayes took the baton.The Olympics' loss was the NFL's gain as cornerbacks were left trailing in Hayes' wake.The story began on 15th October 1964.He was almost unstoppable as a wide receiver and kick returner, making the Pro Bowl in his first three seasons before opponents switched from man-to-man to zonal defenses to try and deal with him.But the two-time Olympic champion and Super Bowl winning NFL Hall of Famer will long be remembered as a man who left an indelible mark on two sports.Sadly for track fans, that relay was Hayes' last Olympic race as he made a permanent switch to American football aged 21.But speed alone isn't enough, and Hayes had the sporting intelligence to be able to use that speed to devastating effect. The USA speedster showed up at the Tokyo Games and won 100m gold, running in borrowed spikes in an inside lane chewed up by the start of the men's 20km walk. Yet he exploded out of the blocks, took an early lead, and won by 2m, equalling the world record.
There is little doubt,the great Bob Hayes,had more God given speed than any man who has ever lived,at the 1963 AAU college Track&Field champion ships,Bob sliped coming out of the blocks in the 100yd.dash final,he still won the race,and clocked 9.1 seconds,tieing his own world record,that he set in the prelims of that meet.This is almost un beleiveable,but true.He also was clocked at 27.89 … He missed part of his senior year because of his Olympic bid for the Gold medal.You know I am not sure I am going to be around if I get into the Pro Football Hall of Fame so you must read this for me, I am not sure, I guess I am feeling sorry for myself at this time but you must remember everything I want you to do and say. Hayes was also wearing borrowed spikes, because one of his own pair was lost when it was kicked under his bed in the athletes’ village.