Herb Douglas

Who is Herb Douglas?

Herbert Paul Douglas, Jr. was an American athlete who competed mainly in the long jump. He represented the U.S. in that event at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London, where he won the bronze medal.

Competition in the long jump was particularly keen at the London Games. Willie Steel of the United States won the gold medal at 25' 8"; Australia's Theo Bruce came in second, taking the silver medal at 24' 9.5". Herb Douglas captured the bronze with a jump of 24' 9", and Lorenzo Wright of the United States ended up fourth at 24' 5.25".

Prior to the 2012 Summer Olympic Games Douglas was recognised as the oldest living African-American Olympic medalist.

Douglas graduated from Taylor Allderdice High School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1940 and was inducted into their alumni hall of fame in 2009.