John Thomas, a two-time Olympic medalist in the high jump and former world record-holder, died Tuesday. The Brockton resident was 71.

As a freshman at Boston University in 1959, Thomas became the first athlete to clear 7 feet in the high jump indoors. A nine-time national champion, Thomas competed in the 1964 US Olympic trials as a member of the Boston Athletic Association team. He was the lone African-American on the team.