Mel Lattany
Encyclopedia
Melvin Lattany is a former American
track athlete. He was one of the world's dominating sprinters in the early 1980s.
A standout at the University of Georgia
, he established a new Men's World Junior Record over 100 metres on July 30, 1978. He won a gold medal over 100 metres at the 1981 Summer Universiade
, and over 200 metres at the 1981 IAAF World Cup
. On May 5, 1984, Lattany became only the fifth man (second on sea-level) to break the 10-second barrier
. He retired from track in 1985 to become an NFL wide receiver
. He did, however, never play in the NFL. In 1987, he was reinstated by the International Amateur Athletics Federation to run track again.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
track athlete. He was one of the world's dominating sprinters in the early 1980s.
A standout at the University of Georgia
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
, he established a new Men's World Junior Record over 100 metres on July 30, 1978. He won a gold medal over 100 metres at the 1981 Summer Universiade
Athletics at the 1981 Summer Universiade
The athletics competition at the 1981 Summer Universiade was held at the National Stadium in Bucharest, Romania, in July 1981. The programme featured 23 events for men and 16 for women. A total of fourteen Universiade records were broken during the 1981 Games.The Soviet Union was the most...
, and over 200 metres at the 1981 IAAF World Cup
1981 IAAF World Cup
The 3rd IAAF World Cup in Athletics was an international track and field sporting event sponsored by the International Association of Athletics Federations, held on September 4–6, 1981, at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy.-Men:|width="50"| ...
. On May 5, 1984, Lattany became only the fifth man (second on sea-level) to break the 10-second barrier
10-second barrier
The 10-second barrier is a term used in track and field athletics which refers to the physical and psychological barrier of completing the men's 100 metres sprint in under ten seconds...
. He retired from track in 1985 to become an NFL wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
. He did, however, never play in the NFL. In 1987, he was reinstated by the International Amateur Athletics Federation to run track again.