James Sanford is a retired track and field sprinter from the United States. He was champion at the 100 metres at the 1979 IAAF Athletics World Cup in Montreal and also held the best time for the 100 metres at a low altitude for one year, a time of 10.02 seconds, until Carl Lewis improved this record to 10.00 seconds in May 1981. James Sanford (United States) set the men's 100 m world record of 10.02 in Westwood, USA on May 11, 1980. It stood 12 months, until Carl Lewis's 10.00 on May 16, 1981. Wiki link