Humberto Lara

Chilean track and field athlete Humberto Lara was one of the best hurdlers in South America during the 1920s. Prior to his career in athletics Lara worked for the railways in Concepción where his father also worked. Whenever he had the chance he competed in athletics in addition to joining the local football team where he played as a centre forward. At the 1924 South American Championships in Athletics in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Lara won the 400 metres hurdles beating the home favourite Enrique Thompson. This performance landed him a place on the Chilean Olympic team for the 1924 Paris Games, with the journey from South America taking about a month. Once in Paris he competed in the 400 metres hurdles where he reached the semi-finals.

Personal Best: 400H – 56.2 (1924).