ALICE COACHMAN DAVIS, the first black woman to win an Olympic gold medal, has died at the age of 90.
Davis topped the podium in the high jump at the 1948 event in London, achieving a Games record of 1.68 metres, and was the only American woman to win an athletics gold medal that year.
She retired at the age of 25 and was inducted to the US Olympic Hall of Fame in 2004. Davis’ daughter confirmed her mother had passed away on Monday, and US Olympic Committee CEO Scott Blackmun was quick to pay tribute.
“On behalf of the US Olympic family, we mourn the loss of Alice Coachman Davis and offer our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends,” he said.
Alice literally set the bar with her accomplishments at the 1948 Games, but Olympic champion is only part of the incredible legacy she leaves behind.
“Alice Coachman Davis has inspired generation of athletes to be their best and she will be missed.”
