Wilma Rudolph

1940 - 1994

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Biography

Wilma Rudolph (1940-1994) was an American sprinter who overcame childhood illnesses, including polio, to become a three-time Olympic gold medalist. She rose to fame during the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, where she became the first American woman to win three gold medals in track and field during a single Olympic Games. Rudolph's success on the track inspired many as she broke barriers for African American women in sports.