Wilma Rudolph was born June 23, 1940, in Saint Bethlehem, Tennessee.

One of 22 children, Wilma was prone to bad health. Surviving two cases of both Polia and Scarlet Fever, Rudoplh was forced to wear a leg brace; Later told she was unable to walk again.

“My mother told me I would. I believed my mother”.

Her mother continuing to believe in Wilma, Rudolph seemed to fully articulate without the brace around the age 11, quickly turning to sports. She turned to play basketball throughout high school, but later stopped after meeting a coach. Said coach is one who began her motivation to begin track and field. Still attending high school, Wilma competed on Collegiate level,

In 1956, she competed in the 1956 olympic games, winning a bronze medal in the 4x100 relay. 1960, Rudolph headed to the summer Olympics, determined to get gold.

Her performance not only earned her 3 gold medals, but also a cemented name as one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century. She also broke 3 world records within this competition.

In 1962, Wilma Rudolph retired from her career,, later passing from a brain tumor at the young age of 54.

Sources:

https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/wilma-rudolph

https://olympics.com/en/athletes/wilma-rudolph

https://www.biography.com/athlete/wilma-rudolph

Photo Credit:

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1356385/

Want to learn more? Check out Wilma Rudoplh's autobiography; Wilma.