PARIS — A century ago, at a modest stadium just outside Paris, William DeHart Hubbard, a standout college track and field star from Ohio, propelled himself and African Americans across the segregated United States into history. By triumphing over the world’s best long jumpers at the 1924 Paris Olympics, Hubbard became the first Black athlete to secure an individual gold medal at the Games.

His nephew, Kenneth Blackwell, former Ohio secretary of state, recounted that Hubbard keenly understood the weight of his journey, carrying the aspirations of millions of Black Americans on his athletic shoulders. Blackwell shared a poignant letter Hubbard wrote to his mother, now framed and cherished, where Hubbard expressed his determination to become the first Negro Olympic champion in track and field, aiming to make her proud and shatter racial barriers.

A copy of this historical letter will be prominently displayed this month at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, England, as part of an exhibition commemorating the centennial of the 1924 Olympics.

While Hubbard excelled in the long jump, his path to glory was marred by racial discrimination. Despite qualifying for the 100-meter dash and high hurdles, he was barred from competing in these events due to segregation policies. “When he arrived, he was informed that the 100 meters and high hurdles were restricted to white participants,” Blackwell lamented. Hubbard’s gold in the long jump thus resonated even more profoundly as a symbol of triumph over adversity.

Camille Paddeu, a curator at the Musee municipal d’Art et d’Histoire in Colombes, the city housing the main stadium for the 1924 Paris Olympics, affirmed that racial segregation prevented Hubbard from competing in other events.

Hubbard’s victory marked one of several milestones at the 1924 Games, held amidst the backdrop of the Roaring ’20s in and around the City of Lights. Notably, these Olympics were the first to be broadcast via radio, allowing global audiences to witness the drama unfold, including the grandeur of the opening and closing ceremonies at the Olympic Stadium in Colombes, where Hubbard showcased his prowess.

The event also introduced the Olympic village concept, providing accommodations for athletes complete with amenities like a post office, hair salon, and restaurant. Despite its grandeur, only Japanese athletes are confirmed to have stayed at the village, according to Fatima Tassou, deputy mayor of Colombes.

The 1924 Olympics also saw the inauguration of the Olympic motto “Citius, Altius, Fortius” (Faster, Higher, Stronger) and the debut of the 50-meter pool with marked lanes, setting standards for future Olympic Games.

Johnny Weissmuller, akin to Michael Phelps of his era, clinched three gold medals and a bronze in water polo at the 1924 Olympics before becoming renowned as the iconic Tarzan in Hollywood.

The Games also witnessed a notable increase in female participation, with 135 women among the 3,089 athletes competing. Reflecting the aftermath of World War I, Germany was notably absent, while countries like Ecuador, Ireland, Lithuania, and Uruguay made their Olympic debuts. Uruguay’s soccer team notably secured the gold medal.

The United States emerged as the leading nation with 47 gold medals, including one awarded to Richard Norris Williams, a Titanic survivor who triumphed in mixed doubles tennis.

The 1981 Oscar-winning film “Chariots of Fire” immortalized the spirit of the 1924 Games, focusing on British athletes Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell. Blackwell recounted how his uncle’s warm-up in the jump pit featured prominently in the movie, though his mother felt it didn’t capture the full extent of Hubbard’s achievement.

Fatima Tassou highlighted the emergence of Olympic merchandise at the 1924 Games, showcasing dolls representing various sports, marking the beginning of Olympic memorabilia.

As the Fitzwilliam Museum prepares to showcase Hubbard’s letter, the legacy of William DeHart Hubbard continues to resonate, reminding the world of his pioneering journey and enduring impact on Olympic history and civil rights.