- Dave Albritton
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Medal record Men’s Athletics Competitor for United States
Olympic Games Silver 1936 Berlin High jump David Albritton Member of the Ohio House of Representatives
from the 34th districtIn office
January 3, 1961-December 31, 1972Preceded by None (First) Succeeded by Ed Orlett Personal details Political party Republican Dave Albritton (David Donald Albritton; April 13, 1913 – May 14, 1994) had a long career that spanned three decades and numerous titles and was one of the first high jumpers to use the straddle technique. He was born in Danville, Alabama.
Albritton had a number of similarities with all-time great Jesse Owens. Both were born in Danville, Alabama; both attended East Technical High School in Cleveland, Ohio; both attended the Ohio State University; both were members of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity; both competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics.
As a sophomore at Ohio State, Albritton won the National Collegiate Athletic Association championship in 1936.
In 1936, Albritton and Cornelius Johnson both cleared 6-9 3/4 (2.07 m)to set a world record at the Olympic Trials, becoming the first blacks to hold the world record in the event. Albritton was second to Johnson at the 1936 Summer Olympics, with a height of 6' 6 3/4" (2.00 m). He claimed the silver medal in a jump-off after he and two other jumpers cleared the same height.
Albritton and Johnson were snubbed by Hitler when they went to collect their medals.
Albritton won or tied for seven National Amateur Athletic Union outdoor titles from 1936 to 1950. He was AAU outdoor champion in 1937, 1946, and 1947 and tied for three national collegiate titles, in 1938, 1945, and 1950.
Albritton would later became a high school teacher and coach. He served in the Ohio House of Representatives for six terms. In 1980, he was inducted into the USA Track and Field Hall of Fame.
References
- Wallechinsky, David (2004). The Complete Book of the Summer Olympics, Toronto: Sport Classic Books. ISBN 1-894963-34-2
- USATF Hall of Fame
- Sports Reference
Records Preceded by
Walter Marty
Men's High Jump World Record Holder
along with Cornelius Johnson
1936-07-12 – 1937-08-12Succeeded by
Melvin Walker
Categories:- 1913 births
- 1994 deaths
- African American track and field athletes
- American athlete–politicians
- American high jumpers
- Athletes (track and field) at the 1936 Summer Olympics
- Former world record holders in athletics (track and field)
- Members of the Ohio House of Representatives
- Ohio State Buckeyes track and field athletes
- Olympic track and field athletes of the United States
- Olympic silver medalists for the United States
- People from Decatur, Alabama
- Ohio State University alumni
- African American history of Alabama
- Olympic medalists in athletics (track and field)
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