Charles Dumas

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Charles Dumas
Medal record
Men's
Athletics
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1956 Melbourne High Jump
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place 1959 Chicago High Jump

Charles Everett "Charlie" Dumas (February 12, 1937 – January 5, 2004) was an American high jumper, the 1956 Olympic champion, and the first person to clear 7 ft.(2.13 m)[1]

While attending

Los Angeles
, breaking a barrier previously thought unbreakable.

This jump not only ensured him of a place in the American Olympic team, but also made him the top favorite for the gold medal at the 1956 Summer Olympics. In Melbourne, he did not disappoint, and grabbed the title in a new Olympic Record.[2]

Next, he enrolled at the University of Southern California, winning the NCAA track and field title with the university team in 1958. In 1960, Dumas competed in his second Olympics, but a knee injury during the competition prevented him from winning a second medal, finishing 6th.

After his career, in which he won five consecutive national high jump titles,

Jordan High School in Watts). He died of cancer at age 66 in Inglewood, California
. He left behind three children: Keasha Dumas, Kyle Dumas and Ianna Dumas.

He started his jumping career as a student first at

Track and Field News "High School Athlete of the Year" in 1955.[5]

References

  1. ^ Litsky, Frank (17 January 2004). "Charles Dumas, 66, Champion High Jumper". The New York Times. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  2. ^ Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Charlie Dumas". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2020-04-17.
  3. ^ "USATF - Statistics - USA Outdoor Track & Field Champions". Archived from the original on 2011-06-11. Retrieved 2012-07-24.
  4. ^ "California State Meet Results - 1915 to present". Hank Lawson. Archived from the original on 2014-10-06. Retrieved 2012-12-25.
  5. ^ "Track & Field News - the Bible of the Sport Since 1948". Archived from the original on 2016-08-18. Retrieved 2015-11-24.

External links

Records
Preceded by
Men's High Jump World Record Holder

1956-06-29 — 1957-07-13
Succeeded by