America’s oldest living Olympic medalist passes at 101

Herb Douglas was “a champion himself and a champion of others.”

Compartir
Compartir articulo
Herb Douglas won the bronze medal in the long jump at the London 1948 Summer Olympics.
Herb Douglas won the bronze medal in the long jump at the London 1948 Summer Olympics.

The United States’ oldest living Olympic medalist has passed away in his hometown of Pittsburgh, Pa. at the age of 101.

Herb Douglas was a track and field star who won the bronze medal in the long jump at the London 1948 Summer Olympics.

University of Pittsburgh chancellor Patrick Gallagher announced his passing in a statement.

“He was both a champion himself and a champion of others,” the statement read. “He never hesitated to open doors of opportunity and help people pursue their own success.”

Douglas was born in the Pittsburgh area on March 9, 1922 and would become the first African-American to play college football for the University of Pittsburgh.

Although he was a fine football player, athletics was his calling. Douglas won four collegiate championships in the long jump, and claimed another title in the 100-yard dash. He was runner-up to Willie Steele at the U.S. Olympic Trials, good enough to earn a spot on the 1948 U.S. Olympic team.

In London he would win the bronze medal with a jump of 7.545 meters. Steele won the gold medal with a then-record leap of 7.825 meters. Theo Bruce of Australia took the silver medal.

Herb was inducted into the inaugural Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame in 2018.
Herb was inducted into the inaugural Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame in 2018.

“Pitt Athletics is forever indebted to his passion and support,” said University of Pittsburgh athletic director Heather Lyke. “It is so fitting our future indoor track will be named in Herb’s honor, ensuring his name and legacy live on to inspire future Pitt student-athletes.”

Douglas was inducted into the inaugural Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame in 2018.

He is survived by his wife Minerva, daughter and four grandchildren.

Recent Articles

The Friendship Games organized against Russia against the IOC will have the participation of 70 countries

The World Friendship Games (WFG) will feature competitions in 36 sports and will award 283 medals to the winners. The Russian Government announced that a press conference will soon be held to present them with more details and clarified that the invitations to participate are addressed to athletes and not to countries.
The Friendship Games organized against Russia against the IOC will have the participation of 70 countries

Clues about the pebetero: it will not be in the stadium but in the middle of Paris and in public view

From France, information indicates that the site chosen for the Olympic fire to be lit since July 26 would be the emblematic Tuileries Garden. Official sources did not confirm the fact, but they recognize the idea that it is located in the heart of Paris and in full view of fans.
Clues about the pebetero: it will not be in the stadium but in the middle of Paris and in public view

Nearly a thousand boats will welcome the torch in France

The parade in the Mediterranean will be minutes before disembarkation at the Old Port of Marseille; they must meet certain requirements and apply to participate.
Nearly a thousand boats will welcome the torch in France

France says it will “be ready” to ensure safety at the Olympic Games while raising the alert level

The attack in Moscow threatened the whole of Europe and security in Paris is once again in the spotlight, just four months after the parade of delegations on the Seine River.
France says it will “be ready” to ensure safety at the Olympic Games while raising the alert level

Will Paris 2024 have its red carpet?

Although all the expectations for July 26 are set on an opening ceremony that promises to be extraordinary, it is likely that, in the hour before the party, the world will attend a parade of luminaries from sports, arts and entertainment.
Will Paris 2024 have its red carpet?