David Jacobs (Welsh athlete)

For other uses, see David Jacobs (disambiguation).

Not to be confused with the 1924 Olympic 100 meter champion, British Jewish sprinter Harold Abrahams.

David Jacobs

David Jacobs in 1913
Personal information
Born	30 April 1888 Cardiff, Wales
Died	6 June 1976 (aged 88) Llandudno, Conwy, Great Britain
Height	1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Weight	70 kg (154 lb)
Sport
Sport	Athletics
Event	100–400 m
Club	Herne Hill Harriers, Mitcham
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)	100 m – 10.8 (1912) 200 m – 21.9e (1912) 440 yd – 49.9e (1913)
Medal record Representing Great Britain Olympic Games 1912 Stockholm 4×100 m relay

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

He 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. 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, in spite of 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 also competed in the 100m and 200m individual events, but was eliminated in the semifinals.

Although many times a Welsh champion, Jacobs never succeeded in winning an AAA title. He retired from active sport after World War I.

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, at East Ham. At the time of his death he was Britain's oldest Olympic gold medalist.

See also

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