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Wilma Rudolph: The Triumphant Story of the World’s Fastest Woman
By Omarr Lee
WI Contributing Writer
Friday, March 25, 2005; Page 37
In the 1960 Olympics, Wilma Rudolph became the first American woman to capture three track-and-field gold medals and claim the title of the fastest woman in the world. The tall, slim sprinter at 5-feet-11-inches, 130 pounds, lived a heroic tale of overcoming adversity.
As child she battled scarlet fever, double pneumonia and was unable to walk without leg braces. To help Rudolph deal with her disability, her family members administered leg massages, conditioning her legs enough for her to walk by age 11 with specially made shoes. Rudolph outgrew the need for the shoes in about three years and was able to walk normally.
“I spent most of my time trying to figure out how to get [the shoes] off,” Rudolph said. Rudolph began her track-and-field legacy as a sophomore in high school. She was an undefeated sprinter throughout her all of her track meets.
In 1957, Rudolph attended Tennessee State University as a sprinter where she set several records and gained national attention.
In the 1960 Olympic games, Rudolph tied the 100-meter dash world record of 11.3 seconds. She set an Olympic record in the 200-meter dash, and she set a world record as anchor for the 400-meter relay team.
Rudolph was named the U.S. Female Athlete of the Year in 1960 and won United Press Athlete of the Year honors. |
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