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Wilma was born in Tenessee, she was born prematurely.
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Wilma was diagnosed with polio. Doctors said there was no cure for her to walk again, her family was poor. She got her legs massaged at least 4 times a day.
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Started going to Cobb Elementary when she was seven years old, after being home-schooled.
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At the age of eight years old she started walking with a leg brace and a special shoe. Her mother found out that she could play basketball without her specially designed shoes on.
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First spotted at her basketball game in her sophmore year, coach never put her in until her sophmore year. She was never recognized, he sister made the basketball and track team over her at first. Ed Temple (Tennesse track coach) and because Burt High School didn't have funding for a track team, he invited her to compete in meets with them.
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Won a bronze in the 4X400 Relay at the age of 16.
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In High School, she was selected to represent the USA at the 1956 Olympics
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Attends Tennesse State University after being at numerous practices.
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Qualified for the olympics in 1959, the event was in 1960. There she made the world record for the 200-meter relay. She came back with two gold medals, actually, 100-meter relay and of course the 200-meter relay. Wilma had also set a record for the U.S., most medals for an american women in one olympic.
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She became the United Press Athlete of the year and the AP Women Athlete of the year.
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retired from running, but she still went to track meets to support her teammates. She was 22 years old. Wilma decided to end her career with the 1960 Olympics. She becmae a track coach and teacher
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she was abducted into the Black Athletes Hall of Fame
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she was abducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame.
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she published her very own autobiography.
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The Wilma Rudolph foundation (non-profit organization) helped young athletes who can't afford it. It also help kids learn about discipline and hard work.
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Wilma died from breast cancer.
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U.S. Postal service honored her by putting her picture on a 23 cent stamp.
