The indication of "the world's fastest man/woman" is often to reign the 100 meter Olympic champion.

Florence Delorez Griffith-Joyner, also known as Flo-Jo, is regarded as the world's fastest woman. Her 100 meter record (10.49 seconds) set on 16 July 1988 in Indianapolis has not yet been challenged. Unfortunately Flo-Jo died at a very young age of 38 in 1998 because of epilepsy.

Carmelita Jeter is the second fastest woman who held a 100m record of 10.64 seconds.