Willie Steele


William Samuel "Willie" Steele was an American athlete who competed mainly in the long jump. Steele won the Gold medal in the long jump at the 1948 London Olympics. A two-time USA Outdoor champion, Steele was the 1948 Olympic Trials champion and a two-time NCAA long jump champion. He was considered the world's best long jumper in 1942 and 1946, and was world ranked #1 by Track & Field News their first two years of producing worldwide rankings, 1947 and 1948.

Career

Steele was born in El Centro, California on July 14, 1923. At age 4 his family moved to San Diego where he graduated from Herbert Hoover High School in 1940.
Steele initially competed for San Jose State College, coached by Bud Winter in the early 1940s, In 1942 the 18-year-old Willie Steele won the AAU Junior long jump and had a best mark of 25-7 which topped the world rankings that year.
His college and track career was interrupted by World War II when he enlisted in the Army. He served in Italy and the Philippines, and he was decorated for his service. He was also inducted into the Hall of Champions in San Diego's Balboa Park.
Championships
1948 Olympic Games: Long Jump - 7.82 m
1948 Olympic Trials: Long Jump - 7.98 m
1946 AAU Outdoors: Long Jump - 7.32 m
1947 AAU Outdoors: Long Jump - 7.55 m
1948 NCAA Outdoors: Long Jump - 7.60 m
1947 NCAA Outdoors: Long Jump - 8.08 m