Floyd Heard

Floyd Heard was a sprinter who ran the 200 metres at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. He placed sixth in his semi-final and did not advance to the final. Heard had a long career, starting at Texas A&M University in 1985 and winning the 1986 NCAA 200 metres as a freshman and adding a Goodwill Games gold medal in the 200 that year, which led to him being world ranked #1 in 1986. In 1987 he won gold in the 200 at the Pan American Games and World University Games, adding a 4x100 gold at the Universiade.

Heard failed to make the 1988 Olympic team when he was near his peak, and he struggled over the next decade, never reaching the heights he achieved in 1986. He sat out the 1999 season but came back in 2000 to make the Olympic team at 34-years-old, the oldest ever US sprinter to make his first Olympics.

Heard later became a sprint coach, primarily known for his work as an assistant at the University of Houston.

Personal Best: 200 – 19.88 (2000).