May 9, 2025 Your Source for Brentwood News

Brentwood’s Clifford Bourland was a 1948 Olympic Gold Medalist

Mr. B., as we like to call him, is now 91 years old; he still plays golf and is always ready for a good laugh. Clifford Bourland (Cliff) was born in Venice, California in 1921. He attended Venice High School and during his senior year he didn’t know he had a gift, he just knew he liked to play tennis.

That year, the school coach, Berry Europe, asked him to join the athletic team. To his own surprise, tall, thin, long-legged Cliff Bourland won his first competition race against the best runner of the school. Soon after, he competed against all Los Angeles schools, winning again and again. And from then on many more medals would be handed to him.

Maybe fate, or maybe coincidence, but after Cliff Bourland won one competition, Edward Leahy, a young athlete, approached him to ask if he would like to go to USC. “Well, nobody else had made me any offers†, he answered.

His new friend Edward introduced him to the USC coach Dean Cromwell. Cliff Bourland demonstrated his running skills and became part of the track and field team participating in the 200 meter race. In 1942 and 1943 he would win the AAU championships in the 400 meter and the NCAA championships in 440 yards.

Due to WWII, Cliff Bourland went to serve in the Navy as Captain of a landing craft tank. In 1947, then 26 years old, his decision to make a return to USC would make a great turn in his life. Not as young an athlete, he thought of running as a matter of keeping himself in shape.

One more time, Cliff Bourland’s long-time friend Edward and Coach Cromwell saw a potential athlete in him, but this time for the Olympics. “I was not in as great shape as in 1944, but I qualified third for the Olympics†he explains.

The trip lasted two weeks, time was precious and the team would need to train just by running around the deck. “They were different times,†said shy Cliff Bourland. Food was limited and the athletes were not an exception. The lack of food and other limitations would not take away the Olympic Games main purpose, to bring all countries together.

During the preliminaries, Cliff Bourland qualified for the 200 m. At the day of the competition, the Jamaican team used all the starting blocks brought by the U.S. team, leaving Cliff Bourland no choice other than to dig with his hand a hole to support his foot; his start was delayed and the result, a fourth place.

Coach Cromwell, seeing Cliff Bourland’s frustration, decided to place him in the next 4 x 400 relays. He was going to compete against the best relay team, the Jamaicans. The challenge was there and he was more than ready for that.

Cliff Bourland was the second leg, his opponent and he were even at the start but not for too long, he beat his Jamaican opponent by 15 yards. He made a record running 400 m. in 47.3 seconds, which granted the relay team the gold medal.

“It was nice to be there. It’s a proud moment when you hear the Star Spangled Banner and when you meet friends that you will never forget.â€

With great emotion he said: “I hope the 2012 U.S. Olympic team enjoys the Olympic Games as much as I did. It was a wonderful thing in my life. I met a lot of people, good solid people and friendly people. It’s a good thing. Everything is good.â€

About the author: Luz E. Aranibar was born in La Paz, Bolivia and studied Mass Media Communications at the Bolivian Catholic University. She worked as communications consultant and freelance journalist in her country of origin. Her feature writings were mostly about Latin American Literature and the health and mortality of women and children. She is a U.S. citizen and has lived in Los Angeles the last eight years. She recently started a blog about downtown Los Angeles: “DT Los Angeles View.â€




in News
Related Posts

Laughter Heals: Sober & Standing (Up!) Returns to El Rey Theatre for Mental Health Month

May 9, 2025

May 9, 2025

Comedians in Recovery Take the Stage to Raise Funds for Phoenix House California Laughter will once again echo through the...

Sunshine Beach Volleyball Camps: Register Open for Summer Camps

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

Summer is coming. For young volleyball athletes, that means registration for the Sunshine Westside Beach Camp and South Bay Beach...

World-Class Brew: Santa Monica’s Own Takes Home Top Beer Honors

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

Basil, Citrus, and Craftsmanship: See Which Local Brewery Just Won Big Santa Monica Brew Works (SMBW) just took home a...

LAPD and BHPD Alert Public to Rise in Distraction Thefts Targeting Elderly Across Los Angeles

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

Suspects Using Sleight-of-Hand and Fake Jewelry to Rob Unsuspecting Seniors Los Angeles and Beverly Hills Police Departments are sounding the...

DA Files Felony Stalking Charges After Bel-Air Gate Crash at Jennifer Aniston’s Home

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

Judge Orders Mental Evaluation for Man Who Drove Into the Actress’ Property Criminal charges have been filed against a Mississippi...

Brentwood Weekly Crime Report: April 27, 2025 – May 3, 2025

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

Crime Spikes as LAPD Asks for Public’s Help in New Investigation Senior Lead Officer Kirk’s latest crime report for last...

Shore Hotel: Your Destination for Local Events, Celebrations

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

Cinco de Mayo, Pride Month and More Parties This Summer Shore Hotel, a luxury hotel nestled in the heart of...

(Video) Petitgrain Boulangerie’s Party For Its One Year Anniversary

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

We got the gifts with a DJ, free cookies, croissants and affogatos. Congratulations to the co-owners Clémence de Lutz and...

(Video) Socalo’s Cinco de Mayo Celebration

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

Co-Owner Susan Feniger Offers Diners Chapulines While Co-Owner Mary Sue Milliken works behind the scenes. Chef Makes Tlayudas on the...

“Forte dei Marmi Fridays” Brings Italian Elegance and Fresh Seafood to Brentwood

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

New Lunch and Dinner Series Features Traditional Italian Dishes from Tuscany There is a new weekly dining experience bringing the...

Meet the Man Behind the Burritos: Severiano Gonzalez Marks Four Decades at Tito’s Tacos

May 7, 2025

May 7, 2025

One Man’s Dedication, Four Decades of Flavor: Tito’s Senior Cook Speaks By Dolores Quintana Severiano Gonzalez is the senior cook...

Tyla Teams Up with Erewhon for Limited-Edition “Bliss” Smoothie Benefiting Girls’ Education

May 7, 2025

May 7, 2025

Tyla’s Smoothie Is Here. Blissfully Bright, Nutrient-Packed, and for a Good Cause Erewhon has teamed up with Grammy-winning musician Tyla...

Here’s Looking At You to Close Permanently on June 13 After Nearly 10 Years of Culinary Impact in L.A.

May 7, 2025

May 7, 2025

Beloved restaurant bids farewell with heartfelt message from co-founder Lien Ta After nearly ten years of culinary creativity and community,...

Camp Integem: Step into the Future

May 7, 2025

May 7, 2025

Explore, Create, and Launch Beyond! This summer, kids are invited to make magic as they journey into the fun-filled, hands-on...

Jim Carrey Reprices Brentwood Estate Amid Market Shifts and Wildfire Concerns

May 6, 2025

May 6, 2025

Iconic Actor Carrey’s Brentwood Retreat Back on Market at $18.75M  Actor Jim Carrey has reduced the asking price for his...