Wilma Rudolph

Born in Bethlehem, Tennessee, United States
Her father Ed Rudolph, her mother Blanche Rudolph. At birth she weighed only four-and-a-half pounds. While She w

At the age of four, Wilma contractes polio. The Disease weakened her and made her vulnerable to pneumonia and scarlet fever.

Enters Cobb Elementary School in Clarksville, Tennessee

Joins the track and field team and basketball teams at Burt High School in 1953. Won every race she entered in four seasons of high school track.

Wins bronze medal in the 4 x 100-meter relay at the Melbourne Olympics

Enters Tennessee State University in 1958, graduating in 1963.

She became the first American woman to win three gold medals in track and field competiton. Sets a world record in the 200-meter race.

Dies from brain cancer, in Nashville, Tennessee