Who was the first European to break the ten-second barrier in the 100m?

The 100 metres is the shortest sprint distance commonly run outdoors. It is one of the most popular and prestigious events in the sport of athletics. It has been contested at the Summer Olympics since 1896 (1928 for women). The reigning 100m Olympic Champion or world record holder will often be referred to as "the fastest man/woman on earth".

The 10-second barrier has historically been a barometer of fast men's performances, while the best female sprinters take eleven seconds or less to complete the race. Britain has a handful of male sprinters who have run sub-10, starting with Linford Christie, the first European to break the ten- second barrier (24 September 1988).

Linford Cicero Christie (born 2 April 1960) is a Jamaican-born British former sprinter. He is the only British man to have won gold medals in the 100 metres at all four major competitions open to British athletes: the Olympic Games, the World Championships, the European Championships and the Commonwealth Games. He is a former world indoor record holder over 200 metres, and a former European record holder in the 60 metres, 100 m and 4 × 100 metres relay.