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Birth
Wilma was born in Tenessee, she was born prematurely. -
polio
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. -
school
Started going to Cobb Elementary when she was seven years old, after being home-schooled. -
leg brace
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. -
noticed
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. -
first olympics
Won a bronze in the 4X400 Relay at the age of 16. -
Summer Olympics
In High School, she was selected to represent the USA at the 1956 Olympics -
college
Attends Tennesse State University after being at numerous practices. -
second olympics
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. -
Award
She became the United Press Athlete of the year and the AP Women Athlete of the year. -
Retirement
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 -
Black Athletes Hall of Fame
she was abducted into the Black Athletes Hall of Fame -
National Track and Field
she was abducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame. -
Autobiography
she published her very own autobiography. -
WRF
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. -
Death
Wilma died from breast cancer. -
Postage stamp
U.S. Postal service honored her by putting her picture on a 23 cent stamp.
