With renowned coach Ed Temple and some of the fastest runners in the country as her teammates, Wilma Rudolph's talents were fostered and her sprinting skills grew. After a year of diligent training, Rudolph qualified for the US Olympic track-and-field team. At the age of sixteen, Wilma competed in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, winning a bronze medal in the 400-meter relay.
"At that time, people weren’t too keen on women participating in sports. Everything was geared toward football and basketball at Tennessee State, but the Tigerbelles came along. They worked hard and it paid off."
- Edward Temple
[Getty Images, 1960]
[Getty Images, 1960]
"Running, at the time, was nothing but pure enjoyment for me. I loved the feeling of freedom... the fresh air, the feeling that the only person I'm really competing against in this is me."
- Wilma Rudolph