Otis Davis was a track and field athlete who won two Olympic gold medals for the United States in the 1960 Rome games.
- Died: September 14, 2024 (Who else died on September 14?)
- Details of death: Died in North Bergen, New Jersey at the age of 92.
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Otis Davis’ legacy
Davis got a late start to his Olympic career, but he made the most of it. Born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, he served in the Korean War with the U.S. Air Force before enrolling at the University of Oregon. He wanted to attend his home state school, the University of Alabama, but it did not accept Black students.
It was at the University of Oregon that Davis first tried his hand at track and field, entering on a basketball scholarship after two years playing for Los Angeles City College. Under track coach Bill Bowerman, the eventual Nike co-founder, Davis found his stride. Though he was older than normal when he got his start in 1958, at 26, he was soon competing nationally for the Oregon Ducks.
In 1960, at the age of 28, Davis made the U.S. Olympic team. Competing in Rome, he set the world record in the 400-meter dash, just edging out German athlete Carl Kaufmann for the gold in a famed photo-finish race. He repeated the feat anchoring the 4 x 400-meter relay race, again earning a gold medal.
After the Olympics, Davis largely retired from competition. He finished earning his degree and went on to work as a coach, teacher, and truancy officer. Davis is in the National Track and Field Hall of Fame, the University of Oregon Hall of Fame, and the New Jersey Sports Writers’ Halls of Fame. He was also co-founder of the Tri-States Olympic Alumni Association.
Tributes to Otis Davis
Full obituary: The Oregonian
