Question

  

Overcoming the Odds, Wilma Rudolph

1

     Standing at 5 feet 11 inches tall with long, lean legs, Wilma Rudolph was an imposing figure on the track. Dubbed “the fastest woman in the world,” Wilma took home three gold medals during the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome, Italy. However, Wilma wasn’t always a successful athlete. When she was a young girl, she couldn’t even walk.

2

     Born in 1940 in Tennessee, Wilma was one of 22 children in her family. She was delivered prematurely at four and a half pounds and was a sickly child. Wilma dealt with a bout of pneumonia and scarlet fever, and when she was six years old, she lost the function of her left leg due to polio, a disease that causes muscles to be weak.

3

     Even though polio often resulted in paralysis, the future track star was fitted with a large metal brace in hopes of regaining her leg strength. Every day her brothers and sister massaged Wilma’s leg to stimulate growth. Although it was difficult for her family, her mother took time away from her job every week to drive Wilma 90 miles round trip to the doctor for therapy.

4

     Wilma and her family’s dedication and hard work paid off. At age 9, Wilma’s leg was strong enough to have the brace removed. She was eager to become a “normal kid” and began playing basketball with her brothers. When she was in high school, she joined the school’s basketball team. Wilma became a star player, breaking the record for the most points in one game. She was extremely fast up and down the court, and people took notice, including the Tennessee State University track coach.

5

     Wilma began practicing with the college track team while she was still in high school. She qualified for the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia, and won a bronze medal as part of the sprint relay team. But Wilma’s trip to the 1960 Olympics is when she rose to her full potential. Winning gold medals in the 100 meter, 200 meter, and sprint relay, Wilma became one of the most popular athletes at the games. People admired her impressive athletic ability, especially since she beat the odds and overcame a debilitating disease, and her unwavering courage.

6

     Many people believe Wilma paved the way for other African-American female athletes. She was an inspiration to Florence Griffith Joyner, the next female to win three gold medals at the Olympic Games, and to many other young athletes around the world.

7

     After her Olympic career, Wilma became a teacher and a track coach. In 1977, she penned her autobiography, Wilma, and shared her amazing story with the world. Wilma believed her greatest accomplishment was neither overcoming polio nor winning three Olympic gold medals, but establishing the Wilma Rudolph Foundation, a not-for-profit amateur sports program. Wilma spoke with firsthand knowledge when she reminded her mentees in the program that “triumph can’t be had without a struggle.”

Multiple Choice Question

Which of the following details is most important to include in a summary of the passage?

A. 

which athletes were most popular at the Rome Olympics

B. 

how many gold medals Florence Griffith Joyner won

C. 

Wilma’s experience in recovering from polio

D. 

the number of points Wilma scored in high school basketball

Answer 1

C. Wilma’s experience in recovering from polio