Ira Davis (athlete)
Ira Sylvester Davis is a retired American triple jumper. He represented the United States at three Olympics; 1956, 1960 and 1964. He made the finals each time, his best showing was fourth place in 1960, missing a bronze medal by 2 cm. He was the winner of the Olympic Trials each time, setting the Trials record in 1956 and twice in 1960. 1956 was also the American record, set as a 19 year old college freshman. He was a four time National Champion, winning in 1958-60 and again in 1964.
Davis competed for Overbrook High School where he was a teammate of Wilt Chamberlain on both the basketball and track teams; and La Salle University. Davis was also a credible sprinter, winning the 100-yard dash at the IC4A Championships and the Penn Relays in 1958.
Davis was a 1956 initiate of the Delta Eta chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.
