Larysa Latynina
Keystone / Hulton Archive / Getty Images
Ukrainian gymnast Larysa Latynina, representing the USSR in women's gymnastics, won 18 medals: six in 1956 at Melbourne (6 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze), six in 1960 at Rome (3 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze) and six in 1964 at Tokyo (2 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze). She held the record for most medals (18) by any Olympian athlete, male or female, until Mark Phelps won his 19th in 2012.
Pherenice of Rhodes
about 400 BCEIn the ancient Olympics games in Greece, women were not permitted to participate or even attend -- on pain of execution. Legend says that Pherenice of Rhodes, from a family of Olympic champions, decided to replace her late husband as their son's boxing coach in the Olympics.
Mary Lou Retton
Getty Images / Steve Powell
1984 Olympics: Gymnastics, USA
Mary Lou Retton, "America's Sweetheart", is remembered for her warm style, enthusiastic personality, and pixie haircut. She was the first American woman gymnast to win Olympic gold for the all-around event, and she won the most most Olympic medals of any athlete at the 1984 Olympics.
Aileen Riggin (Soule)
May 2, 1906 - October 17, 20021920, 1924 Olympics; diving and swimming, USA
Aileen Riggin won a gold medal in women's springboard diving at Antwerp in 1920, having started diving in 1919, becoming America's youngest gold medalist and also America's smallest (she was 14 years old, 4 foot 7, and 65 pounds). In 1924 at Paris, she won a silver medal in springboard diving and a bronze medal in the 100 meter backstroke, making her the first woman to win medals in both diving and swimming. After she moved to Hawaii with her husband, she helped found the Hawaii Senior Games Association.
Wilma Rudolph
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June 23, 1940 - November 12, 1994
1956, 1960 Olympics: Track and Field, USA
Wilma Rudolph was stricken with polio and walked with leg braces or special shoes until she was 12, and took up running and jumping to overcome her disability. In high school she played basketball and ran in track meets, winning every race she entered. She competed in the 1956 and 1960 Olympics, setting records and winning medals. She became a teacher, coach, and raised four children, and focused on helping others to their own achievement.
1956, 1960 Olympics: Track and Field, USA
Wilma Rudolph was stricken with polio and walked with leg braces or special shoes until she was 12, and took up running and jumping to overcome her disability. In high school she played basketball and ran in track meets, winning every race she entered. She competed in the 1956 and 1960 Olympics, setting records and winning medals. She became a teacher, coach, and raised four children, and focused on helping others to their own achievement.
Susi Susanti
Feb. 11, 1971 -1992, 1996 Olympics: Badminton, Indonesia
In 1992, Susi Susanti became Indonesia's first Olympic gold medal winner, when she took the gold in badminton, a sport that is very popular in Indonesia. Her fiance Allan Budi Kusama won another gold medal later in the same Olympics. She went on to win a bronze medal in badminton in the 1996 Olympics.
Wyomia Tyus
Getty Images / Kevin Winter
August 29, 1945 -
1964, 1968 Olympics: Track and Field, USA
Wyomia Tyus won consecutive gold medals at the 1964 and 1968 Olympics, setting world records for her speed. In 1968 she was caught up in the controversy over whether black American athletes should compete or should refuse to compete in protest of American racism.
1964, 1968 Olympics: Track and Field, USA
Wyomia Tyus won consecutive gold medals at the 1964 and 1968 Olympics, setting world records for her speed. In 1968 she was caught up in the controversy over whether black American athletes should compete or should refuse to compete in protest of American racism.
Venus and Serena Williams
Getty Images / Gary M. Prior
Venus: June 17, 1980 -
2000 Olympics: tennis, USA
2000 Olympics: tennis, USA
Serena: September 26, 1981 -
2000 Olympics: tennis, USA
Venus and Serena Williams, sisters, surprised many in tennis by their meteoric rise, as African American tennis champions remain rare. In 2003, Serena was the fifth woman to win all Grand Slam tournaments, though early in their careers Venus had more usually been the winner; Venus had won the first Australian Open in which they both competed, in 1998. Both Serena and Venus competed in the 2000 Olympics, and as a team won a gold medal in doubles. Also at the 2000 Olympics, Venus Williams was the first woman since 1924 to win gold in both singles and doubles, with her sister Serena as her doubles partner.
Willye White
January 1, 1939 - February 6, 20071956, 1960, 1964, 1968, 1972 Olympics: Track and Field, USA
She was the first American woman to compete in 5 Olympics. She won a silver in 1956 at Melbourne for the long jump (the first American woman to win a medal in the long jump), and a silver in 1964 in Tokyo as part of the 4x100-meter relay. She was raised in Mississippi and lived in Chicago, where she founded the Willye White Foundation to help children develop self-esteem.
