Wilma Rudolph won the bronze medal (3rd place) in the women’s 400-meter relay at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, Australia. She was the youngest of that 4-woman United States track and field team.

This was especially extraordinary because of Wilma’s health background. She was born prematurely, weighing four and a half pounds. Prior to age 4, Wilma contracted double pneumonia, scarlet fever, and polio (infantile paralysis). At that time in history, most kids who got polio either died or were permanently crippled. There was no cure for polio until 1955. Wilma lost the use of her left leg, so moved about by hopping on her right.

Twice a week, for two years, Wilma’s mother took her by bus to the nearest hospital, about fifty miles away, that would treat black patients. They rode together in the back, the only place blacks were allowed to sit. Wilma explained, “My doctors told me I would never walk again. My mother told me I would. I believed my mother.”

Life was difficult for Wilma. She wasn’t allowed in school because she couldn’t walk. Wilma’s parents and 21 siblings took turns, at least four times a day, massaging and exercising her paralyzed leg. This was often painful for Wilma and sometimes made her cry.  

By age 5, Wilma had worked so hard doing her leg exercises, that doctors decided her leg was ready for a heavy steel supportive brace. She didn’t have to hop any longer and could finally go to school. Some kids made fun of her brace and wearing it prevented Wilma from playing basketball, her favorite sport. So, she sat on the sidelines and memorize each player’s move.

At age 12, Wilma was able to walk without the brace. She and her mother mailed it back to the hospital. Wilma knew that since she could walk, then she should be able to run.

In high school, Wilma became a star basketball played. Legendary track coach, Ed Temple, of Tennessee State University, attended one of Wilma’s basketball games and was so impressed by her running skill that he wanted her for his track-and-field team. He helped her earn a full athletic scholarship to Tennessee State University. Wilma became the first person in her family to attend college.

At age 20, in 1960, Wilma became the first American woman to win three gold medals in track and field at a single Olympics. Her performance earned her the title of “the fastest woman in the world”. When she returned home, people of Clarksville, Tennessee held a huge parade and banquet in her honor. It was the first event in the town’s history to include both blacks and whites.

Later in life, she formed the Wilma Rudolph Foundation to nurture young athletes and teach them that they, too, can succeed despite all odds against them. In 1977, she published her autobiographical book, Wilma. Soon after, it was made into a TV movie. 
(Clarksville, Tennessee: 1956)