Lynn Davies

Who is Lynn Davies?

Lynn Davies CBE is a Welsh former track and field athlete who specialised in the long jump. He was the 1964 Olympic champion in the event. He was born in Nantymoel near Bridgend and was a member of the Cardiff Amateur Athletic Club.

He won an Olympic gold medal in the long jump in 1964 with a leap of 8.07 metres. He finished ninth in 1968, having been flag bearer at the opening ceremony. In 1964 he also competed in the 100 metres and 4x100 metres contests. He was 18th in the long jump at the 1972 Olympics, his selection being something of a surprise at the time.

Outside of the Olympics, he was the 1966 European champion in the long jump and was the silver medallist three years later. He was also twice the Commonwealth Games champion, having won titles in 1966 and 1970.

Davies was a two-time winner of the BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year award, taking the honour in 1964 and 1966. During the 1990s, he was a member of BBC Cymru/Wales' sports department. Davies was created a CBE on 17 June 2006, having previously been an MBE. He was elected unopposed as President of the UK Athletics Members Council for a further four years following the close of nominations.