10 Amazing Facts About Wilma Rudolph

10 Amazing Facts About Wilma Rudolph

Wilma Rudolph made history by becoming the first Black woman athlete to compete in the Summer Olympics in Rome, Italy, in 1960. While still studying at the The Tennessee State University, the Olympic champion and medalist made record by becoming the first American woman to win three gold medals in the same Olympics.

Wilma Rudolph is known for overcoming her childhood challenges to becoming one of the most accomplished athletes in history. She has become an inspiration to black people and athletes both in the United States and beyond. During her Olympic years, Wilma acclaimed the fastest woman in history and even became the first African American woman to win three gold medals.

Read more on 30 Most Famous Women Athletes Of All Time.

1.At a young age, Wilma Rudolph struggled with poverty and polio

Wilma Rudolph was prematurely born in Bethlehem while weighing only 4.5 pounds. She was born into a poor family with her being the twentieth child to twenty-two children. Her family relocated from Tennessee and opted to move to Clarksville where she began her schooling.

Due to her poor background, Wilma consequently developed complications. At just the age of four, she suffered measles, mumps, and pneumonia among other illnesses. Consequently, polio left her with paralysis in her left leg and foot.

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2.Wilma had to undergo physical therapy to overcome the effects of polio

Polio is a contagious disease that affects the spinal cord and essentially causes paralysis of the limbs. Wilma was diagnosed with this contagious disease at just the age of four, which caused paralysis of her left foots and leg. She began physical therapy to counteract the effects of the disease.

She received extensive therapy that involved exercises to strengthen her weakened muscles. She even wore a leg brace that provided support and aided in her balance. Her mother provided unwavering support to her throughout her treatment and rehabilitation period.

3.Wilma Rudolph originally wanted to play basketball

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While Wilma is commonly known for her achievements in track and field Olympics, she was initially interested in basketball. During her high school years at the Clarksville Burt High school, she played basketball.

Wilma was about 6 feet tall, and she studied the art of the game and ran track to stay in condition. Fortunately, while she was participating in the state basketball final in Nashville, the 14-year-old lady was approached by a referee called Ed Temple, who also happened to be the acclaimed coach of the Tennessee State Tigerbelles track team. This was a major turning point in her career.

Read more on 50 Most Famous Black Women in History.

4.Wilma Rudolph made her Olympic debut at 16 years

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Despite her physical challenges as a child, Wilma discovered her talent in running back in her high school. During one of her state basketball finals, she was recruited by Ed Temple, an acclaimed coach. This was a major turning point for her, as in just two years she hit the limelight when she won a bronze the medal in the 4 x 100-meter relay at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne that was held in Australia.

From that moment forward, Wilma’s career took off quite well. Later on in 1960, the athlete completed the Summer Olympics and won three gold medals. She made records by becoming the first American woman to achieve these feet in a single Olympic competition. French journalists called her The Black Pearl, the Italian press hailed The Black Gazelle, and in America, Rudolph was The Tornado.

5.Following her gold medals, Wilma Rudolph demanded a racially integrated homecoming

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Due to the wide coverage of the 1960 Summer Olympics competition, Wilma gained worldwide recognition due to her achievements on track. She became an inspiration to other black girls looking to venture in Olympic competitions.

When Rudolph returned from Rome, Tennessee governor Buford Ellington,which was known for racial segregation, planned to oversee the Clarksville celebrations. Wilma however declined to attend the celebration until when the victory parade was open to both blacks and whites. Rudolph’s wishes were implemented, resulting in the city’s first integrated festivities.

6.Wilma Rudolph was invited to the White House by the then president, John F. Kennedy

Wilma Rudolph was fortunate enough to meet the thirty-fifth president of the United States of America, John F. Kennedy. President John F. Kennedy and the Vice president Lyndon B. Johnson met the Olympic track and field medalist Wilma in Oval Office back in 1961. This was just a year after the medalist hit the limelight by winning the 1960 Summer Olympic championships.

It is believed that they had a lengthy conversation of about 30 minutes. After posing for some shots, the president attempted to sit in his rocking chair and fell to the floor. President Kennedy remarked that it was not every day that he gets the chance to meet a medalist.

7.Wilma Rudolph retired at the age of 22

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Rudolph shocked the world by announcing her retirement form the Olympics at the age of 22. The Olympics champion and medalist made this shocking announcement on chat show in the United States. Wilma claimed that she wanted to quit while she was still ahead in the game.

Before this announcement she had won a 100-meter (11.2 seconds), 200-meter (22.9 seconds), and 4 x 100-meter relay(44.3 seconds). After the early retirement, the medalist went back to Tennessee State collage and earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. This was total shift of her career as she turned to teaching and coaching.

8.Wilma Rudolph has worked for non-profit organizations that supported athletic development

Other than teaching, the Olympic champion and medalist has worked with non-profit organization and governmental organizations that supported athletic development. Back in 1967 she was actively involved in the Job Corps program. The US State Department dispatched Rudolph to Dakar, Senegal, for the 1963 Friendship Games.

According to Penn State professor Amira Rose Davis, Rudolph met with future Ghanaian president Kwame Nkrumah’s Young Pioneers, a nationalist youth movement, while in Ghana. She later on in 1981 established a non-profit organization that trained youth athletes, the Wilma Rudolph Foundation.

9.Denzel Washington TV debut movie was about Wilma Rudolph

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Wilma is a 1977 TV drama that follows the life of the Track star Wilma Rudolf. This movie stars an excellent cast including Shirley Jo Finney, Denzel Washington, Charles Blackwell, Norman Matlock, Joe Seneca and Larry B. Wilma is a feel-good movie and brings in an inspirational aspect to the viewers.

Before his Oscar-winning performances in Gloryand Training Day, a 22-year-old Denzel Washington portrayed Robert Eldridge, Rudolph’s second husband, in Wilma. The film is inspirational to young black minds living in the United States and beyond.

10.Wilma Rudolph’s legacy still lives on

Back in 1994 Wilma was diagnosed with brain cancer and throat cancer and thereafter her condition deteriorated and died on the 12^th of November 1994. The medalist’s legacy still lives on even after her unfortunate death. She was an inspiration to black and female athletes all over the world.

In Berlin, Germany, has a high school named after Rudolph, this is to keep her legacy going. Clarksville features a bronze statue by the Cumberland River, the 1000-capacity Wilma Rudolph Event Center, and Wilma Rudolph Boulevard. In Tennessee, the residents celebrate Wilma Rudolph Day on the 23 of June of every year.

It is quite clear that Wilma had a huge impact on the black community. The medalist heavily and actively advocate for inclusivity in all arears. She remains an inspiration to the black community in the United States.