A history-making Olympic athlete has passed away at the age of 90.
According to the Associated Press, Alice Coachman Davis died Monday in Georgia. Competing in the high jump at the 1948 London games, Alice was the first black woman to earn a gold medal at the Olympics. Alice was also the only American woman to get gold medal at those games.
She achieved the groundbreaking win by clearing a height of 5.51 feet, which is a record for the U.S.A. and the Olympics, according to USA Track and Field.
Upon her induction in the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 2004, Alice told the AP, “Going into the USOC Hall of Fame is as good as it gets.”
Alice didn’t think it would have taken her until 1948 to win gold at the Olympics had World War II not prevented the games from being held in 1940 and 1944.
“I know I would have won in 1944, at least,” Alice said, recalling the moment she took in her hard-earned victory. “I was starting to peak then. It really feels good when Old Glory is raised and the National Anthem is played.”
The cause of Alice’s death has not been revealed, but Alice’s daughter Evelyn Jones confirmed her passing today. The family is organizing a memorial service, but final plans have not been announced at this time.
First Black Woman To Win Gold At The Olympics Dead At 90 was originally published on hellobeautiful.com
