Willie Davenport facts for kids
Davenport at the 1968 Olympics
|
||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born | June 8, 1943 Troy, Alabama, U.S. |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Died | June 17, 2002 (aged 59) Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Alma mater | Southern University | |||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in | |||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 185 lb | |||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Sprint running | |||||||||||||||||||
| Club | Baton Rouge Track Club | |||||||||||||||||||
| Achievements and titles | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal best(s) | 100 yd – 9.5 (1968) 100 m – 10.3 (1969) 110 mh – 13.33 (1968) |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
Medal record
|
||||||||||||||||||||
William "Willie" D. Davenport (born June 8, 1943 – died June 17, 2002) was an amazing American athlete. He was known for his speed as a sprint runner and later became an Olympic bobsledder. Willie Davenport competed in five Olympic Games, showing his talent in both summer and winter sports.
Contents
Willie Davenport's Early Life and Education
Willie Davenport was born in Troy, Alabama. He went to Howland High School and later attended Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. At Southern University, he was a member of the Southern Jaguars football team.
Competing in the Summer Olympics
Willie Davenport was a top hurdler. He competed in the 110-meter hurdles event at four Summer Olympic Games.
First Olympic Appearances
His first Olympics was in 1964. Sadly, he hurt his thigh and couldn't finish the race. But he didn't give up!
In 1968, at the Mexico City Olympics, Willie Davenport showed everyone how fast he was. He won the gold medal in the 110-meter hurdles. He later said, "From the first step, the gun, I knew I had won the race." This shows how confident and ready he was.
Later Olympic Hurdles Races
Willie Davenport competed again in 1972, finishing fourth. In 1976, at the Montreal Olympics, he won a bronze medal in the 110-meter hurdles. This was his third time reaching the Olympic final in this event.
From Track to Football
Willie Davenport was a talented athlete in many sports. After winning his gold medal in the 1968 Olympics, he quickly joined his college football team for their final games. He was even drafted by two professional football teams, the New Orleans Saints and the San Diego Chargers. However, he never played in the National Football League (NFL).
Willie Davenport's Winter Olympics Journey
Willie Davenport made history by competing in both the Summer and Winter Olympics.
Bobsledding in 1980
In 1980, he joined the American bobsleigh team for the Winter Olympics. This was special because the United States boycotted the 1980 Summer Olympics. Because of this, Willie Davenport was the only U.S. track and field athlete to take part in any 1980 Olympic event. He finished 12th in the four-man bobsled competition.
Breaking Barriers in Bobsledding
By competing in bobsledding, Willie Davenport became one of the first African Americans to race in the Winter Olympics for the U.S. He helped open doors for future athletes.
Other Achievements and Legacy
Willie Davenport won five national championships in the 60-yard hurdles indoor event. In 1985, he competed in the Masters Outdoor World Championship in Rome.
Willie Davenport was honored for his amazing career. In 1977, he was added to the Mt. SAC Relays Hall of Fame. In 1982, he was inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame.
Willie Davenport was also a dedicated member of the U.S. Army. He was a private when he first competed in the Olympics and later became a colonel in the United States Army National Guard. He passed away on June 17, 2002, at the age of 59.
Images for kids
-
Davenport at the 1968 Olympics
