Who was the first ever black woman to compete in the Olympics?
The first black woman to compete in the Olympics was Alice Coachman Davis. She represented the United States at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London and won a gold medal in the high jump. Davis's victory was a major breakthrough for women of color in sports and helped to pave the way for future generations of Olympians.
Davis was born in Albany, Georgia, in 1923. She began competing in track and field in high school and quickly rose to prominence. In 1946, she won the national AAU high jump championship and set a new world record. Davis was heavily favored to win the gold medal in the high jump at the 1948 Olympics and she did not disappoint. She cleared the bar at 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 meters), setting a new Olympic record.
Davis's victory was a major moment in Olympic history. She was the first black woman to win an Olympic gold medal and her victory helped to break down racial barriers in sports. Davis continued to compete in track and field after the Olympics and she retired in 1952. She was inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1975 and the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1993.
Related questions (and answers):
- Who was the first black woman to win an Olympic gold medal? (Alice Coachman Davis)
- What event did Davis win a gold medal in? (High jump)
- What year did Davis compete in the Olympics? (1948)
- Where were the 1948 Olympics held? (London)
- When was Davis inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame? (1975)
Pre：Are there any male athletes who identify as women competing in the Olympics
Next：Should Bruce Jenners 1976 Olympic gold medals be disqualified because of gender misrepresentation