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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He was the first British Jew to win an Olympic gold medal.<ref name=palgrave/>

Biography

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.<ref name=palgrave>Template:Cite bookTemplate:Dead link</ref> 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.<ref name=r1/>

Although many times a Welsh champion, Jacobs never succeeded in winning an AAA title.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He finished third in the 440 yards event at the 1910 AAA Championships,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> second behind Willie Applegarth at the 1912 AAA Championships<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and second again behind George Nicol at the 1913 AAA Championships.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Jacobs retired from active sport after World War I.<ref name=r1/> 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,<ref name=palgrave/> at East Ham. At the time of his death, he was Britain's oldest Olympic gold medalist.<ref name=r1/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

See also

• List of British Jewish sportspeople
• Harold Abrahams, British Jewish sprint champion in the 1924 Olympics
• Chariots of Fire, award-winning 1981 film depicting Abrahams' story

External links

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