Wilma Rudolph Biography

Occup.	Athlete
From	USA
Born	June 23, 1940
Died	November 12, 1994
Aged	54 years

Wilma Rudolph was born on June 23, 1940, in Saint Bethlehem, Tennessee, USA. She was an African-American athlete recognized for her outstanding accomplishments in track as well as area, getting rid of countless difficulties to come to be a celebrated symbol in sporting activities background. Though she died on November 12, 1994, at the age of 54, Rudolph's motivating tale remains to serve as a testimony to determination as well as resolution.

Wilma Rudolph was the 20th of 22 youngsters in her household. She had a hard childhood as she was birthed prematurely and experienced countless illnesses, consisting of pneumonia and scarlet high temperature, which left her with a weak immune system. At the age of four, she got polio, which disabled her left leg and also left her wearing a leg support for numerous years.

Regardless of these physical challenges, Rudolph's household encouraged her to join sports as a kid. Her brother or sisters and also mother would massage her legs daily, aiding her to develop the stamina and strength needed to conquer her disability. This very early exposure to exercise and her family members's undeviating assistance would eventually work as the foundation of her athletic success.

As a young adult, Rudolph began to excel in basketball as well as track, which led her to be discovered by Tennessee State University track train Ed Temple. Under Temple's support and also mentorship, Rudolph established her abilities as well as became a world-class sprinter.

In 1956, at the age of 16, she competed in her very first Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia, where she won a bronze medal in the 4x100-meter relay. The experience fueled her ambition to contend in more global events, and she set her views on the 1960 Olympics in Rome.

At the 1960 Summer Olympics, Rudolph accomplished her biggest success, winning 3 gold medals as well as setting 2 globe records. She ended up being the first American woman to win three gold medals in a single Olympics, in the 100 meters, 200 meters, as well as the 4x100-meter relay. Her success made her the nickname "The Tornado from Tennessee," and she came to be a worldwide celebrity overnight.

Upon her go back to the United States, Rudolph took pleasure in a hero's welcome, as her success noted a substantial minute for African-American athletes during a time of partition as well as racial tension. She utilized her newly found popularity to advocate for racial and also gender equality as well as the taking down of discriminatory techniques in sports.

Rudolph retired from competitive sporting activities in 1963, after which she continued to act as a good example and also motivation to young athletes. She worked in coaching and also teaching duties, and likewise developed the Wilma Rudolph Foundation to sustain and encourage young people engagement in sporting activities as well as academics.

Wilma Rudolph's life and accomplishments are a perfect illustration of durability, determination, and the power of sports to change lives. Her heritage remains to influence generations of professional athletes, as a suggestion that no challenge is overwhelming with resolution and also hard work.

Our collection contains 14 quotes who is written / told by Wilma.

Related authors: Lawrence Taylor (Athlete)

14 Famous quotes by Wilma Rudolph

"The triumph can't be had without the struggle"

"No matter what accomplishments you make, somebody helps you"

"My doctor told me I would never walk again. My mother told me I would. I believed my mother"

"It doesn't matter what you're trying to accomplish. It's all a matter of discipline. I was determined to discover what life held for me beyond the inner-city streets"

"I loved the feeling of freedom in running, the fresh air, the feeling that the only person I'm competing with is me"

"I believe in me more than anything in this world"

"When the sun is shining I can do anything; no mountain is too high, no trouble too difficult to overcome"

"Believe me, the reward is not so great without the struggle"

"Winning is great, sure, but if you are really going to do something in life, the secret is learning how to lose. Nobody goes undefeated all the time. If you can pick up after a crushing defeat, and go on to win again, you are going to be a champion someday"

"The feeling of accomplishment welled up inside of me, three Olympic gold medals. I knew that was something nobody could ever take away from me, ever"

"I ran and ran and ran every day, and I acquired this sense of determination, this sense of spirit that I would never, never give up, no matter what else happened"

"I don't know why I run so fast. I just run"

"Sometimes it takes years to really grasp what has happened to your life"

"Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion: The potential for greatness lives within each of us"