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Harold (Hal) Davis (born January 5, 1921 in Salinas, California, died August 12, 2007) was an American Track and Field athlete. He was a former World Record holder in the 100 metres. In 1974, he was elected to the USA Track & Field National Track and Field Hall of Fame. ==Athletic career== Nicknamed the "California Comet", he tied Jesse Owens world record running into a headwind at the Compton Relays on June 6, 1941 and was regarded as the fastest sprinter in the world for a four-year period. Unfortunately for Davis, this was during World War II and the Olympics were cancelled, depriving him of an opportunity for international recognition. During the period 1940-43, Davis never lost a race over 220 y and only one over 100 y. This last race was a loss to the only man who could be considered his equal, Barney Ewell. The loss happened in the 1941 United States 100 y championship race. Even here, after a poor start, Davis nearly caught Ewell at the finish.〔R L Quercetani & G Pallicca, "A World History of Sprint Racing 1850-2005", SEP Editrice Srl, 2006, p. 67.〕 In these years when Davis was the man to beat he won 3 United States championships at 100 m (1940,1942–43) and 4 at 200 m (1940–43).〔http://www.trackandfieldnews.com/archive/usa-nat-champs-history.html A History Of The Results Of The National Track & Field Championships Of The USA From 1876 Through 2003, Track and Field News. Retrieved 17 March 2012〕 On 6 June 1941, he equalled Jesse Owen's world record for 100 m of 10.2 s (the time was achieved in a heat, he won the final in 10.4 s). On 16 May 1942, he equalled the 100 y record of 9.4 s but this time was never accepted by the world govering body the IAAF because Davis used starting blocks of a type not officially approved.〔Progression of IAAF World Records 2011 Edition, p 14, 25 and 467.〕 Davis also ran two wind-aided 220 y/ 200 m races in 20.2 s when the then world record was 20.3 s. The first occurred on 17 May 1941, the second in the United States championship final on 20 June 1943.〔Progression of IAAF World Records 2011 Edition, p 39.〕 At the peak of his career Davis, the "California Comet", was famous throughout the United States not just California, with the simple fact that Davis had submitted an entry to a meet being newsworthy.〔https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19410128&id=OgIaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=eCMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6392,5113797 "California Comet Sends Entry for Sprints at Boston", The Milwaukee Journal, January 28, 1941.〕〔https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1928&dat=19410128&id=aDUjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=q2gFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5199,2242548 "California Comet Enters B.A.A. Games", The Lewiston Daily Sun, January 28, 1941.〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Harold Davis (athlete)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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