Otis Davis, a trailblazing athlete who won two gold medals at the 1960 Rome Olympics, has died at the age of 92. Born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Davis served in the Korean War before pursuing higher education at the University of Oregon, where he discovered his talent for track and field under coach Bill Bowerman, later the co-founder of Nike.
Though he began his athletic career later than most, Davis quickly made his mark. At 28, he competed in the 1960 Olympics, setting a world record in the 400-meter dash in a thrilling photo-finish against Carl Kaufmann of Germany. He also anchored the U.S. 4×400 relay team to another gold medal.
After retiring from competition, Davis became a coach, teacher, and truancy officer. He was inducted into multiple halls of fame, including the National Track and Field Hall of Fame. Davis’ life and career continue to inspire athletes and those fighting for racial equality.