Olympic FIRSTS!!!

Sammy Lee

Dr. Sammy Lee, a diver, was the first American of Asian descent to win an Olympic gold medal.   He won the gold in the men's platform at the London Games in 1948, and won again at Helsinki in 1952.   The man is a legend: Sammy Lee never let racism stop him from becoming a world ambassador in diving.

Not bad for someone who could only practice one day a week because that was when the public pool was open to nonwhites.   Considering the era he came up in, and the many obstacles and day-to-day prejudices that were right up in his face, it's truly amazing what he was able to accomplish.

Alice Coachman

In London in 1948, Alice Coachman became the first African American to win a gold medal, when she won the high jump competition.   She was also the only female American athlete to win a medal of any kind at these Olympics.