Although he had an impressive record at the Welsh Championships, David Jacobs never succeeding in winning an AAA title although he finished second in the 220 yards in 1912 and the 440 yards in 1913. At the Stockholm Olympics, Jacobs ran the third leg on the sprint relay team which won the gold medals and he also performed creditably in the individual sprints, reaching the semi-finals of both the 100 and 200 metres. Jacobs’ interest in the sport was aroused after watching the 1908 Olympic Games, and he joined the Herne Hill Harriers at the end of the summer. He was at his best as a sprinter in the years immediately prior to 1914 but after the war he gradually lost interest. Herne Hill Harriers managed to re-establish contact as Jacobs approached his 80th birthday and he once again took a keen interest in club affairs. At the time of his death, David Jacobs was Britain’s oldest Olympic gold medalist; he died suddenly in his native Wales while on holiday from his London home.
Personal Bests: 100y – 10.0e (1912); 100 – 10.8 (1912); 200 – 21.9e (1912); 220y – 22.0 (1912); 440y – 49.9e (1913).
Great Britain