One of Britain’s first black athletes to win an Olympic medal has been honoured with a plaque by Newcastle City Council.
John Edward London became Britain’s third black Olympian in the 1928 Games, winning silver in the 100m and bronze in the 4x100m relay.
In 1927, he had broken the British 100m record with a time of 10.7 seconds.
Newcastle’s deputy lord mayor Henry Gallagher said London, who was known as Jack, was a ‘trailblazer in every sense of the word’.
Born in Guyana in 1905, Jack moved to the UK as a boy so his father could study medicine.
He spent part of his childhood in Jesmond, where the plaque was unveiled yesterday.
Historic England science advisor Don O’Meara, who made the nomination for the plaque, said it was a reminder ‘that stories of remarkable people with national and international achievements can live on any street in England’.
He added: ‘Caring for our heritage at a local and national level involves not just protecting buildings but also telling the stories of communities and promoting pride in local heritage.’
