Charles Dumas, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death
TweetCharles Dumas
American high jumper
Date of Birth: 12-Feb-1937
Place of Birth: Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Date of Death: 05-Jan-2004
Profession: athletics competitor
Nationality: United States
Zodiac Sign: Aquarius 
About Charles Dumas
- Charles Everett "Charlie" Dumas (February 12, 1937 – January 5, 2004) was an American high jumper, the 1956 Olympic champion, and the first person to clear 7 ft.While attending Compton College, near Los Angeles, Dumas, from Tulsa, Oklahoma, made his memorable jump on June 29, 1956, in the US Olympic Trials in Los Angeles, breaking a barrier previously thought unbreakable. This jump not only ensured him of a place in the American Olympic team, but also made him the top favourite for the gold medal at the 1956 Summer Olympics.
- In Melbourne, he did not disappoint, and grabbed the title in a new Olympic Record. Next, he enrolled at the University of Southern California, winning the NCAA track and field title with the university team in 1958.
- In 1960, Dumas competed in his second Olympics, but a knee injury during the competition prevented him from winning a second medal, finishing 6th. After his career, in which he won five consecutive national high jump titles, Dumas became a teacher, working at several schools in the Los Angeles area (including Jordan High School in Watts).
- He died of cancer at age 66 in Inglewood, California.
- He left behind three children: Keasha Dumas, Kyle Dumas and Ianna Dumas. He started his jumping career as a student first at Thomas Jefferson High School in South Central Los Angeles for 2 years.
- As a sophomore, he finished tied for 4th place at the 1953 CIF California State Meet for Jefferson.
- As a junior and senior he jumped for Centennial High School in Compton finishing second in 1954 and winning the state championship by four and a half inches in 1955.
- He was Track and Field News "High School Athlete of the Year" in 1955.
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