Charley Dumas (USA), the 1956 Olympic High Jump champion died of cancer on 5 January 2004 in California, USA, aged 66.
Charles E. (Charley) Dumas (DOB: Feb. 12, 1937) at 19 years of age become the first man to clear 7 feet in the High Jump when he set the World record of 2.15m on 29 June 1956 at the US Olympic Trials in Los Angeles.
A straddle jumper, Dumas’ mark improved the 2.12m record of compatriot Walt Davis which had stood since 1953.
Later in the year on 23 November 1956 in Melbourne, Australia, Dumas went on to claim the Olympic title with a third time clearance at 2.12m, which was an Olympic record.
After finishing sixth at the 1960 Olympics, he retired. He briefly came back in 1964 but failed to make the Olympic team and retired for good.
IAAF
