How Fast Do You Need to Be to Go Pro in Track and Field?
Going professional in track and field means reaching the absolute highest levels of athletic performance.
But how fast do you actually need to be?
In most cases, you must hit times that meet or exceed World Athletics qualifying standards for major events like the Olympic Games or World Championships.
Below, we break down the official Olympic entry standards, what they mean, and what it realistically takes to turn professional.
Why Olympic Standards Matter
World Athletics (the global governing body for track and field) sets strict qualifying marks for the Olympics, World Championships, and other pro-level competitions.
Meeting these standards means you're among the fastest (or strongest) athletes in the world—and it often opens doors to sponsorships, professional contracts, and international competition invites.
Olympic Entry Standards for Paris 2024
To qualify for Paris 2024, athletes can either:
Hit the entry standard time directly, or
Qualify through the World Athletics Ranking system by consistently competing at a high level.
Here are some of the key event standards:
Men’s Events:
100 meters: 10.00 seconds
200 meters: 20.16 seconds
400 meters: 45.00 seconds
800 meters: 1:44.70
1500 meters: 3:33.50
5000 meters: 13:05.00
110 meters hurdles: 12.97 seconds
400 meters hurdles: 48.70 seconds
Women’s Events:
100 meters: 11.07 seconds
200 meters: 22.57 seconds
400 meters: 50.95 seconds
800 meters: 1:59.30
1500 meters: 4:02.50
5000 meters: 14:52.00
100 meters hurdles: 12.77 seconds
400 meters hurdles: 54.85 seconds
How These Times Compare
High school elite: Top U.S. high school boys run around 10.2–10.4 seconds for the 100m; girls around 11.3–11.5 seconds — still just short of professional times.
College Division I elite: Top NCAA sprinters often clock between 10.00–10.20 seconds in the 100m and around 20.20 seconds for the 200m.
Professional: Pro athletes consistently hit (or beat) these world standards, not just once, but repeatedly throughout the season.
Other Factors Besides Raw Time
Consistency: You must perform at elite levels multiple times, not just once.
Competition Results: Strong performances at major meets like USATF Championships and Diamond League events are key.
World Rankings: Even if you miss a standard slightly, you can qualify based on World Rankings points earned across multiple sanctioned meets.
How to Reach Professional Level
Elite Coaching: Work with experienced coaches who can refine your sprint mechanics, endurance, strength, and technique.
Regular Competition: Race often at sanctioned meets to build your competition experience and ranking.
Sponsorship and Management: Once you show world-class ability, brands like Nike, Adidas, and Puma often offer contracts.
Injury Prevention: Managing recovery, training load, and peak timing is crucial for career longevity.
To go pro in track and field, you typically need to match or beat Olympic entry standards—running under 10.00 seconds for the men’s 100m or under 50.95 seconds for the women’s 400m are good benchmarks.
But it’s not just raw speed: consistency, competition success, and smart career management are what separate the good from the great.
If you're serious about going pro, chase these standards—and remember: it’s a marathon (and a sprint!) to the top.
