Harold Abrahams

Harold Maurice Abrahams (* December 15, 1899 in Bedford, † January 14, 1978 in Enfield ) was a British athlete.

Biography

Abraham began early with athletics and soon showed his talent as a sprinter and long jumper. He studied at Cambridge University, which earned him a spot on the 1920 Olympic Games. Abraham had in Antwerp but no success. Both the 100m and the 200m, he left in the quarter finals; in the long jump, he was only twenty Rochester, with the 4 × 100 m relay fourth.

Abraham won at the Olympic Games in Paris in 1924 the gold medal in the 100 m race, even though he was not one of the favorites. He also won the British 4 × 100 m relay silver medal; over 200 m, he finished sixth. Abraham's path to the Olympics was impressively filmed by British director Hugh Hudson. The film Chariots of Fire won four Oscars in 1981. Abraham was played by Ben Cross.

A foot injury forced Abraham to give up his career in 1925. He was a sports journalist and radio commentator for the BBC for more than forty years. In 1981, Harold Abrahams was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.

At the building at the site of his birthplace by the Heritage Foundation was placed in honor of Abraham a plaque.