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When Wilma Rudolph was a child what happened to her?
Who Was Wilma Rudolph? Wilma Rudolph was a sickly child who had to wear a brace on her left leg. She overcame her disabilities to compete in the 1956 Summer Olympic Games, and in 1960, she became the first American woman to win three gold medals in track and field at a single Olympics.
What did Wilma Rudolph have as a child?
Rudolph suffered from several early childhood illnesses, including pneumonia and scarlet fever, and she contracted infantile paralysis (caused by the poliovirus) at the age of five. She recovered from polio but lost strength in her left leg and foot.
Which athlete paralyzed with polio when she was a child won three gold medals at the 1960 Olympics that remains a standout performance in the history of the Games?
Wilma Rudolph
Wilma Rudolph overcame several childhood challenges — including being told she would never walk again — to win three track and field gold medals at the Rome 1960 Olympic Games. Wilma Rudolph was born prematurely and weighed just 4 ½ pounds.
How much children did Wilma Rudolph have?
She traveled frequently and was well known for her motivational speeches to youngsters. On November 12, 1994, Wilma Rudolph died at her home in Brentwood, Tennessee, of a brain tumor. She is survived by two sons, two daughters, six sisters, two brothers, and a truly inspirational legacy.
What disease did Wilma Rudolph have?
As one of 22 children, she was constantly surrounded by support and care, which she needed given her poor health. Rudolph survived bouts of polio and scarlet fever. Her illness forced her to wear a brace on her leg.
What happened to Wilma Rudolph in 1944?
In 1944, when she was four years old, her health took another blow when she contracted polio, a viral illness that had been ravaging the health of young children in a series of epidemics for years. Though Rudolph survived, she became paralyzed in her left leg.
Why is Wilma Rudolph a hero?
Wilma Rudolph is a hero because of her outstanding accomplishments. She worked for what she wanted to achieve like most heroes. She was a great role model for people in her era and is still a role model for athletes now. She displays courage, passion, and devotion towards her sport.
What illness did Wilma Rudolph have?
What records did Wilma Rudolph break?
At the 1960 Rome Olympics, Rudolph became “the fastest woman in the world” and the first American woman to win three gold medals in one Olympics. She won the 100- and 200-meter races and anchored the U.S. team to victory in the 4 x 100-meter relay, breaking records along the way.
Is Wilma Rudolph the fastest woman in the world?
And that would be a shame. Wilma Rudolph was the first American woman to win three gold medals in one Olympics. At the 1960 Rome Olympics, Rudolph became “the fastest woman in the world” and the first American woman to win three gold medals in one Olympics.
Why did Wilma Rudolph become a runner?
At the age of six, Rudolph began to hop on one leg. By eight she could move around with a leg brace. At the age of 11, Rudolph’s mother discovered her playing basketball outside. She quickly turned to sports, becoming a natural athlete.