Paris, 1924. Games of the VIII Olympiad. Athletics. American athlete Harold OSBORN poses for the cameras. OSBORN was gold medallist in both the men's high jump and the decathlon events. Credit: IOC Olympic Museum CollectionsBorn: 13 April 1899
Deceased: 5 April 1975
Birthplace: Butler (United States)
Nationality: United States
Sport: Athletics
ATTENDANCE AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES
Paris 1924
Amsterdam 1928
AWARDS
Olympic medals:
Gold: 2
A Unique Double Champion
At the 1924 Paris Olympics, Harold Osborn, the world record holder in the high jump, cleared every height on his first attempt until he finally jumped 1.98 metres to earn the gold medal and set an Olympic record that would last for twelve years. Four days after his high jump triumph, Osborn began competing in the decathlon. On the second day of the decathlon, he overcame fellow American Emerson Norton in the final two events to win by 360 points. Osborn's total of 7,711 points beat the existing world record by 229 points. His high jump/decathlon double is unique in Olympic history.
