Wilma Rudolph

born June 23, 1940

A delicate and often sick child, Wilma Rudolph could not walk until 
she was eight. A case of double pneumonia and scarlet fever weakened
her left leg, and she had to wear a brace until she was eight. As soon
as she was able, Rudolph started playing basketball.  As a high school
student, she set a state scoring record with 803 points in
twenty-five games. In 1956, she won a bronze medal at the Olympics 
as a member of the U.S. 4 x 100-meter relay team.  At the 1960 Olympics, 
Rudolph won three gold medals: for the 100-meter sprint in 11.0 seconds, the 
200-meter dash in 24.0 seconds, and as a member of the 4 x 100-meter
relay team (44.5 seconds).