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Okla. Olympians: Charles Dumas takes home gold for high jump at Melbourne Olympics

Posted at 6:00 AM, Aug 11, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-11 07:00:18-04

Today's Oklahoma Olympian is Charles Dumas. Born in Tulsa, Dumas moved to Los Angeles as a child.

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He was a 19-year-old high jumper at a tiny Compton college when he made history at the Olympic Trials.

 

Dumas, who became the first high jumper to ever clear seven feet, instantly became the favorite to win fold at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics.

Dumas delivered, setting an Olympic record along the way. The five-time national champion would then go on to coach until he died in 2004 at the age of 66.

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