Theodore Bruce

1923 – 2002

 

In winning the silver medal in the long jump at London 1948, Theodore (Bill) Bruce, from South Australia, became the first Australian to win a medal in that event. Gary Honey (Los Angeles 1984), Jai Taurima (Sydney 2000) and Mitchell Watt (London 2012) later matched his placing. Bruce's medal was the first won at an Olympic Games by a South Australian. He showed his versatility by joining the track sprinters, John Treloar, John Bartram and Maurice Curotta in the 4x100m relay, where the team finished third in its heat with the fifth fastest time overall, but was unable to make the final. London 1948 were the only international Games in which Bruce competed.