Otis Davis

Otis Crandall Davis (July 12, 1932 – September 14, 2024) was an American athlete. He won two gold medals for record-breaking performances in both the 400 m and 4 × 400 m relay at the 1960 Summer Olympics. Davis set a new world record of 44.9 seconds in the 400 m event. He became the first man to break the 45-second barrier at the Olympics.

Davis was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on July 12, 1932. He was black and Native American. He served four years in the United States Air Force, during the Korean War.

During the 1960 Summer Olympics, Davis became friends with boxer Muhammed Ali. He was coached by Bill Bowerman.

Following the Olympics, Davis competed in some track meets, such as the 1961 U.S. Nationals at Randall's Island. He returned to Oregon, where he obtained his degree, a B.S. Health & Physical Education, in 1960. He later considered playing as wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams. After retiring from competition, Davis become a high school teacher, working in Springfield, Oregon for many years.

In his later years, he worked as a verification officer at a high school in Union City, New Jersey and helped children with special needs.

Davis died on September 14, 2024 under hospice care in North Bergen, New Jersey at the age of 92.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Hague, Jim (May 14, 2006). "Truant officer was Olympic hero Emerson High has gold medalist in midst". The Hudson Reporter. Archived from the original on May 4, 2012. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
  2. 1 2 "But First There Was Otis". Hayward.edu. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  3. ↑ Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Otis Davis". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-04-17.
  4. ↑ "Otis Davis". USA Track & Field. Retrieved March 20, 2012.
  5. ↑ "Team USA Medal Winners at the Olympic Games". USA Track & Field. Retrieved March 21, 2012.
  6. 1 2 3 Pope, Gennarose (March 18, 2012). "A truant officer…and an Olympian Two-time gold medalist inspires students to achieve". The Hudson Reporter. Archived from the original on September 20, 2018. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  7. ↑ Staab, Amanda (December 10, 2008). "Honoring the brave UC high school students hear from local veterans" Archived 2018-09-29 at the Wayback Machine. The Hudson Reporter.
  8. ↑ "Biography" Archived 2013-11-25 at the Wayback Machine. OtisDavisOlympian.com. Retrieved March 20, 2012.
  9. ↑ Machcinski, Anthony J. (December 20, 2012). "Union City Olympian Otis Davis, now 80, keeps up with community contributions". NJ.com.
  10. ↑ "Otis Davis, 1960 Olympic 400m gold medalist, dies at age 92". NBC Sports. September 16, 2024. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  11. ↑ Sandomir, Richard (September 20, 2024). "Otis Davis, Who Overcame Racism to Win Olympic Gold, Dies at 92". The New York Times. Retrieved September 20, 2024.

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