Wilma Rudolph, the inspirational sprinter whose swift legs conquered polio and carried her to three gold medals at the 1960 Olympic Games, died Saturday of brain cancer. She was 54.
Rudolph, shackled with leg braces as a child that kept her from walking until age 9, became an international heroine by becoming the first American woman to win three gold medals in track and field at one Olympics.As a youngster she was told by doctors she would never walk. But they did not account for her indomitable spirit and will.
Determined and resourceful, she battled through polio with the help of a compassionate family to become one of the greatest women athletes in history.
She capped her recovery with a triumphant performance in the 1960 Olympics at Rome.
First, she won the 100-meter gold medal in a wind-aided 11.0 seconds, after having tied the world record of 11.3 in the semifinals. Then, she won the 200 meters in 24.0.
Finally, she combined with Tennessee State teammates Martha Hudson, Lucinda Williams and Barbara Jones to win the 400-meter relay in 44.5.
Rudolph died at her home about 8:30 a.m. EST. She had been in and out of hospitals for more than five months as the cancer spread throughout her lean frame.
"All of us recognize that this is obviously a tremendous loss," U.S. Olympic Committee president Leroy Walker said. "Wilma was very much involved with a number of Olympic programs. It's a tragic loss. She was struck with an illness that unfortunately we can't do very much about."
Rudolph was born June 23, 1940, in Clarksville, Tenn., the 20th of 22 children of Blanche and Eddie Rudolph.
Rudolph is survived by two sons, two daughters, six sisters and two brothers.