He was born in
Cardiff, to John Jacobs (previously Yaakov), who was a general dealer from London. His athletics career started in London with
Herne Hill Harriers in 1908.[4] His interest in athletics was aroused by watching the
1908 Olympic Games.
At the
1912 Summer Olympics in
Stockholm, Jacobs won a
gold medal as the first leg in the British 4 × 100 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 100m and 200m individual events, but was eliminated in the semifinals.[1]
Although many times a Welsh champion, Jacobs never succeeded in winning an AAA title. He retired from active sport after
World War I.[1]
He died suddenly in
Aberconwy, aged 88, while on holiday from his London home. His body was returned to London, where he was buried in a Jewish cemetery,[4] at
East Ham. At the time of his death he was Britain's oldest Olympic gold medalist.[1][5]
See also
Harold Abrahams, British Jewish sprint champion in 1924 Olympics
Chariots of Fire, award-winning 1981 film depicting Abrahams' story
References
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