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David Jacobs (Welsh athlete)

British athlete (1888–1976) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

David Jacobs (Welsh athlete)
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David Henry Jacobs (30 April 1888 – 6 June 1976) was a Welsh-born track and field sprinter.[3] He was the first British Jew to win an Olympic gold medal.[4]

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Jacobs was born in Cardiff to John Jacobs (previously Yaakov), who was a general dealer from London. His athletics career started in London with Herne Hill Harriers in 1908.[4] His interest in athletics was aroused by watching the 1908 Olympic Games.

At the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm, Jacobs won a gold medal as the first leg in the British 4 × 100 m relay team, despite finishing second behind the United States in the semifinals. The United States was later disqualified for a fault in passing the baton, the same mistake made in the finals by the world record holder and main favourite German team.

Jacobs competed in the 100 m and 200 m individual events but was eliminated in the semifinals.[1]

Although many times a Welsh champion, Jacobs never succeeded in winning an AAA title.[5] He finished third in the 440 yards event at the 1910 AAA Championships,[6][7] second behind Willie Applegarth at the 1912 AAA Championships[8][9] and second again behind George Nicol at the 1913 AAA Championships.[10][11]

Jacobs retired from active sport after World War I.[1] He died suddenly in Aberconwy, aged 88, while on holiday from his London home. His body was returned to London, where he was buried in a Jewish cemetery,[4] at East Ham. At the time of his death, he was Britain's oldest Olympic gold medalist.[1][12]

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