David Jacobs
Encyclopedia
David William Jacobs (30 April 1888 in Cardiff
, Wales
– 6 June 1976 in Aberconwy
, Wales
), was a Welsh
athlete.
in Stockholm
, Jacobs won a Gold medal
as the first leg in the British 4x100 m relay
team, in spite of finishing second behind the United States
in the semifinals. The United States was later disqualified for a fault in passing the baton, the same mistake made in the finals by the world record
holder and main favourite German
team.
Jacobs also competed in the 100 m and 200 m individual events, but was eliminated in the semifinals of each.
His interest in athletics was aroused by watching the 1908 Olympic Games in London and he joined Herne Hill Harriers
at the end of the summer. Although many times Welsh champion, he never succeeded in winning an AAA title. He died suddenly in his native Wales while on holiday from his London home.
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
– 6 June 1976 in Aberconwy
Aberconwy (district)
The Borough of Aberconwy was one of five districts of Gwynedd, north-west Wales, from 1974 to 1996.It was formed under the Local Government Act 1972, on April 1, 1974 from parts of the administrative counties of Caernarfonshire and Denbighshire....
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
), was a Welsh
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
athlete.
Olympic Gold Medal 1912, Stockholm
At the 1912 Summer Olympics1912 Summer Olympics
The 1912 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the V Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Stockholm, Sweden, between 5 May and 27 July 1912. Twenty-eight nations and 2,407 competitors, including 48 women, competed in 102 events in 14 sports...
in Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
, Jacobs won a Gold medal
Gold medal
A gold medal is typically the medal awarded for highest achievement in a non-military field. Its name derives from the use of at least a fraction of gold in form of plating or alloying in its manufacture...
as the first leg in the British 4x100 m relay
Relay race
During a relay race, members of a team take turns running, orienteering, swimming, cross-country skiing, biathlon, or ice skating parts of a circuit or performing a certain action. Relay races take the form of professional races and amateur games...
team, in spite of finishing second behind the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in the semifinals. The United States was later disqualified for a fault in passing the baton, the same mistake made in the finals by the world record
World record
A world record is usually the best global performance ever recorded and verified in a specific skill or sport. The book Guinness World Records collates and publishes notable records of all types, from first and best to worst human achievements, to extremes in the natural world and beyond...
holder and main favourite German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
team.
Jacobs also competed in the 100 m and 200 m individual events, but was eliminated in the semifinals of each.
His interest in athletics was aroused by watching the 1908 Olympic Games in London and he joined Herne Hill Harriers
Herne Hill Harriers
The Herne Hill Harriers is an amateur athletics sports club based at Tooting Bec Athletics Track in Tooting Bec, London. The club was originally founded in the Herne Hill district of London in 1889.. The club caters to all levels and ages of track, field, road running and cross country...
at the end of the summer. Although many times Welsh champion, he never succeeded in winning an AAA title. He died suddenly in his native Wales while on holiday from his London home.