Herb Douglas fondly recalls his experience in London during the 1948 Olympics, where he won the bronze medal for the United States in the long jump.

Less pleasant are the memories of his return home.

“When we went to the Olympics in 1948, we were treated very well,” said Douglas, 90, who grew up in Hazelwood and graduated from Allderdice and Pitt. “We get back here, and what happens, we have to go to the back of the bus and go upstairs in the theaters.”

The world has changed since Douglas and seven other black athletes competed for the U.S.

After London, Douglas competed another year at Pitt while earning a master's degree in education. He said he tried to become a coach but couldn't find a job because of his color.

Douglas found the corporate world to be more tolerant. He became the third African-American named vice president of a national company, Schieffelin & Co. (now Moët Hennessy USA)

The spikes from Douglas' bronze-medal jump are on display at the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, along with his 1948 Olympic jacket and Pitt track jersey.

“He's never stopped achieving,” the museum's co-director, Anne Madarasz, said. “His drive, his motivation, his competitive spirit — people talk about him.”

An emeritus member of Pitt's Board of Trustees, Douglas will return to London for his 11th Olympics in time to see the long jump. He plans to take photos at Buckingham Palace and revisit the site of Wembley Stadium, where he competed.

Douglas, who as a boy idolized legendary sprinter Jesse Owens, has mentored athletes, including Pitt graduate Roger Kingdom, one of two hurdlers to win consecutive Olympic titles in the 110-meters (1984 and '88).

Douglas also created the Jesse Owens Global Award for Peace, which he awarded to Nelson Mandela in 1995.

This year, he met President Obama, whose daughter, Sasha, also is a long jumper.

“When I extended my hand to him, his eyes riveted into mine, and he said, ‘I stand on your shoulders,' ” Douglas said.

Even at his advanced age, Douglas, who lives in Philadelphia, remains competitive.

“You should walk down the street with Herb Douglas,” Madarasz said. “He always wants to be the first guy to get to the corner. He always wants to beat you to the cab. He's 90 years old, but he has the spirit and the drive and the energy of a much, much younger person.”

Douglas said he inherited his drive and spirit from his father, who was blind.

“If I have any perfection, I get it from him, because he had to do everything just right, or it would be harmful for him,” he said. “He never trusted anybody to take him by the arm and lead him.

“I'm not competitive, but I just do what is right,” Douglas said. “I hope that I've passed down the richness of my experiences. That's all you can do.”

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