Otis Davis, who was barred from the University of Alabama because he was Black, found success at the University of Oregon and won two golds in 1960 Olympics.
Davis left the Jim Crow-era South for Oregon, where coach Bill Bowerman believed in him, stating he needed to start fast and finish strong.
On Sept. 6, 1960, Davis finished first in the men’s 400-meter race, despite concerns about whether he was running too fast and risking defeat.
Davis's story illustrates resilience and triumph over racial adversity, showcasing how he transformed from a basketball player to an Olympic champion.
[
Collection
]
[
|
...
]