The University of Oregon has announced the passing of star American sprinter Otis Davis at the age of 92. Davis, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, scribed his name in history with his remarkable performances at the 1960 Rome Olympics.

Renowned for his blazing speed, Davis clinched the 400-meter gold medal in a thrilling race that saw him defeat Indian star Milkha Singh. His winning didn't stop there; he also led the U.S. team to victory in the 4x400-meter relay, and sealed his status as one of the greatest track athletes. 

Born and raised in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Davis's competitive running career began at  age of 26. Within a few years, he became an Olympic champion. His made record of running the 400-meter lap in under 45 seconds, defeating Germany's Carl Kaufmann. 

The University of Oregon, where Davis had initially joined on a basketball scholarship, took to social media to mourn his loss. "We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Otis Davis, our first Olympic gold medalist," the Oregon Track and Field team wrote on X. “He was a two-time Olympic champion (400, 4×400) at the 1960 Games in Rome and is one of the icons featured on the tower at Hayward Field.”