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Harold Abrahams
Harold Maurice Abrahams CBE (15 December 1899 – 14 January 1978) was an English track and field athlete. He was Olympic champion in 1924 in the 100 metres sprint, a feat depicted in the 1981 film Chariots of Fire.
Abrahams's father, Isaac, was a Jewish immigrant from Polish Lithuania, then part of the Russian Empire since the Partitions of Poland. He worked as a financier, and settled in Bedford with his Welsh Jewish wife, Esther Isaacs. Harold was born in Bedford in 1899. His eldest brother was the physician Sir Adolphe Abrahams (1883–1967), the founder of British sport medicine. His middle brother was another British Olympic athlete, long jumper Sir Sidney Abrahams (1885–1957).
Abrahams was educated at Bedford School and Repton School, then both all-boys independent schools. Before attending university, Abrahams served in the British Army. Having been a cadet, he was commissioned in the Bedfordshire Regiment as a temporary second lieutenant on 5 March 1919; he relinquished his commission on 1 September 1921 having completed his period of service.
He studied at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, from 1919 to 1923. At Cambridge, he was a member of the Cambridge University Athletics Club (of which he was president 1922–1923), Cambridge University Liberal Club, the University Pitt Club, and the Gilbert and Sullivan Society. After university he trained as a lawyer.
Abrahams was also a member of the Achilles Club, a track and field club formed in 1920 by and for past and present representatives of Oxford and Cambridge universities. One of the club's founding members was Evelyn Montague, who like Abrahams is also portrayed in the 1981 film Chariots of Fire.
Abrahams had been a sprinter and long jumper since his youth. He continued to compete in running while at Cambridge. Abrahams earned a place in the 1920 Olympic team, but was eliminated in the quarter-finals of both the 100 m and the 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.
The following year, Abrahams finished second behind Harry Edward in the 100 yards and 220 yards events at the 1921 AAA Championships. He became the national long jump champion after winning the AAA Championships title at the 1923 AAA Championships.
After graduating from Cambridge, he employed Sam Mussabini, a professional coach, who improved his style and training techniques in preparation for the 1924 Olympics in Paris, France.
Harold Abrahams
Harold Maurice Abrahams CBE (15 December 1899 – 14 January 1978) was an English track and field athlete. He was Olympic champion in 1924 in the 100 metres sprint, a feat depicted in the 1981 film Chariots of Fire.
Abrahams's father, Isaac, was a Jewish immigrant from Polish Lithuania, then part of the Russian Empire since the Partitions of Poland. He worked as a financier, and settled in Bedford with his Welsh Jewish wife, Esther Isaacs. Harold was born in Bedford in 1899. His eldest brother was the physician Sir Adolphe Abrahams (1883–1967), the founder of British sport medicine. His middle brother was another British Olympic athlete, long jumper Sir Sidney Abrahams (1885–1957).
Abrahams was educated at Bedford School and Repton School, then both all-boys independent schools. Before attending university, Abrahams served in the British Army. Having been a cadet, he was commissioned in the Bedfordshire Regiment as a temporary second lieutenant on 5 March 1919; he relinquished his commission on 1 September 1921 having completed his period of service.
He studied at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, from 1919 to 1923. At Cambridge, he was a member of the Cambridge University Athletics Club (of which he was president 1922–1923), Cambridge University Liberal Club, the University Pitt Club, and the Gilbert and Sullivan Society. After university he trained as a lawyer.
Abrahams was also a member of the Achilles Club, a track and field club formed in 1920 by and for past and present representatives of Oxford and Cambridge universities. One of the club's founding members was Evelyn Montague, who like Abrahams is also portrayed in the 1981 film Chariots of Fire.
Abrahams had been a sprinter and long jumper since his youth. He continued to compete in running while at Cambridge. Abrahams earned a place in the 1920 Olympic team, but was eliminated in the quarter-finals of both the 100 m and the 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.
The following year, Abrahams finished second behind Harry Edward in the 100 yards and 220 yards events at the 1921 AAA Championships. He became the national long jump champion after winning the AAA Championships title at the 1923 AAA Championships.
After graduating from Cambridge, he employed Sam Mussabini, a professional coach, who improved his style and training techniques in preparation for the 1924 Olympics in Paris, France.
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