American sprinter who held the world record for the 100-metre race (1964–65, 1968–72) and was the first person to win the Olympic gold medal twice in that event.

Tyus attracted national attention as a high-school runner and as an athlete at Tennessee State University (B.A, 1967). She made her Olympic debut at the 1964 Games in Tokyo, capturing the gold medal in the 100-metre race and a silver with the 4 × 100-metre relay team. In the same year, she won the 100-metre race in the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) championship meet. She was also an AAU champion at 100 yards (1965–66) and 220 yards. Indoors she was a three-time winner of the 60-yard dash (1965–67), setting world records in the event in 1965 and 1966.

At the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City she defended her 100-metre title, winning in the world record time of 11.08 seconds. She won her third Olympic gold as the anchor of the 4 × 100-metre relay team and also placed sixth in the 200-metre race. She continued her dominance in the 100-metre event until 1972. The following year Tyus entered professional track competitions and later worked as a television sports commentator.