Mark Jelks is a sprinter born on April 10, 1984, in Gary, Indiana. He has represented both the United States and Nigeria internationally, specializing in the 100-metre dash with a personal best of 9.99 seconds.
Jelks represented the United States at the 2007 World Championships in Athletics. He won the national title at the 2009 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships in the 60-metre dash with a personal record of 6.51 seconds. His sub-10-second 100-metre time places him among the fastest sprinters in American history.
In 2014, Jelks changed his eligibility to represent Nigeria and competed for his new country at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. His career demonstrates the international movement of athletes who choose to represent countries beyond their birth nation.
USAMen