Wilma Rudolph

Biography

Wilma Rudolph shouldn't have been able to walk, let alone run. Born prematurely, she contracted polio at age four and wore a leg brace until she was nine. But the 20th child in a family of 22 refused to accept limitations. By 1960, she was the fastest woman in the world, winning three gold medals in Rome with a graceful stride that made sprinting look like ballet. She became an international sensation, a civil rights icon, and proof that determination can overcome any obstacle. Her journey from a crippled child to Olympic champion remains one of sports' most inspiring stories.

Career Highlights

• 3 Olympic gold medals (1960)
• First American woman to win 3 golds in one Olympics
• Overcame polio and scarlet fever as child
• Became international sports icon
• Civil rights pioneer in sports

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