Wilma Rudolph was an American sprinter born in Saint Bethlehem, Tennessee in June 1940. As a child, Wilma suffered from infantile paralysis, double pneumonia, scarlet fever and polio, with doctors event telling her she’d never walk again. Despite this very unfortunate predicament and bleak possibilities for the future, Wilma was a determined child and, with the help of her parents and 21(!) siblings, who would often remove her leg brace and massage her injured leg, Wilma’s physical condition slowly began to improve. By age 6 she could hop on one leg, by 8 she could move around with a leg brace, and by 11 Rudolph’s mother discovered her playing basketball outside. Continuing on this positive and determined trajectory, at 16 years old she competed in the 1956 Olympic Games and won a bronze medal in the 4×100 relay. 4 years later, Wilma headed to the 1960 summer Olympics and won 3 gold medals, hailing her as one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century, as well as earning her the title of the ‘fastest woman in the world’.
Throughout her life, Wilma had always been a strong advocate for the rights of black people. Growing up in a very segregated area of America, she wasn’t allowed into the top schools, but instead had to go to a school only for black children. Sick of this segregation, after she returned home an Olympic champion, Wilma refused to attend her homecoming parade if it wasn’t integrated, and so the town listened. After retiring from track and field, she went on to finish her degree at Tennessee State University and began working in education. She continued her involvement in sports, and after being inducted into the US Olympic Hall of Fame she started an organization to help amateur black track and field stars.
Wilma Rudolph is truly an inspiration, and was and still is a great role model. She displays courage, passion, and emotion towards everything she does in life.
By Malin