| Biography | Harold Abrahams was an English track and field athlete. He was Olympic champion in 1924 in the 100 metres sprint, a feat depicted in the 1981 movie Chariots of Fire.
Before attending university, Abrahams served as a lieutenant in the British Army, and later trained as a lawyer. He was a member of the Cambridge University Athletics Club, Liberal Club, the Pitt Club, and the Gilbert and Sullivan Society. Abrahams was also a member of the Achilles Club, a track and field club formed in 1920.
He earned a place in the 1920 Olympic team, but was eliminated in the quarter-finals of both the 100 m and 200 m, and finished 20th in the long jump. He was also part of the British relay team that took fourth place in the 4 × 100 m. Sam Mussabini was employed as his coach. At the 1924 Summer Games, Abrahams won the 100 m in a time of 10.6 seconds, beating all the American favourites, including the 1920 gold-medal winner Charley Paddock.
After braking his leg during a long-jump, he returned to his legal career. He also later became president of the Jewish Athletic Association and chairman for the Amateur Athletic Association. |