Wyomia Tyus, an Athlete Setting Records

Born in Griffin, Georgia in 1945, received encouragement from her father to participate in sports, even though her mother objected due to sports being "unladylike."

She started out playing basketball in high school and tried out for the high jump. The high jump turned out not to be her forté, but she discovered a knack for running.

While participating in the Georgia High School State Track Championships in 1961, Wyomia got noticed by Tennessee State University's coach Edward Temple. Temple coached the Tigerbelles, which is where the legendary Wilma Rudolph also received her training and experience. Wilma Rudolph had become the first American woman to win three gold medals in track and field just the previous year.

Temple was very impressed with the fifteen year old's drive and determination. He invited Tyus to his summer track and field camp in Nashville. Tyus participated in the 1962 Girls' Amateur Athletic Union championships. She set a new record in the 100-yard dash and followed that up with winning the 100-yard dash in her age group the following year.

She finished second in her first AAU senior meet against Edith McGuire in the hundred yard dash. McGuire, though also a Tigerbelle, would be Tyus' greatest competition.

In 1963, Tyus received a scholarship to Tennessee State University where she won a string of titles: the 100-yard/meter dash three times consecutively and the 220-yard dash twice.

The 1964 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan were a golden moment for Tyus. She won gold in the 100-meter dash and silver for the 400 meter relay team.

Strife with racial tension, the 1968 Olympics held in Mexico City face a threat of a boycott by African-American athletes. Two athletes, John Carlos and Tommie Smith, were suspended for raising a Black Power salute during their victory ceremony, even though they had won bronze and gold medals, respectively.

The boycott did not occur, although when Tyus's 400 meter relay team dedicated their gold medal to Carlos and Smith. Tyus also took gold again in the 100 meter dash, becoming the first woman to win a gold medal at two consecutive Olympic events.

But after the 1968 Olympics, Tyus was finally ready to do what her mother hoped she would do all along: settle down and have a family. Tyus married Duane Tillman and had two children, daughter Simone and son Tyus. The family lived in Los Angeles, California.

She made a brief comeback in 1973 when she was invited to participate in the 60-yard dash in the Professional International Track Association. Her first year she won eight out of eighteen events but improved on that in the next year winning a total of twenty-two races, every event she participated in.

Tyus went on to coach at Beverly Hills High School and was a founding member of the Women's Sports Foundation.

The Women's Sports Foundation works to end sex discrimination in sports by educating athletes, parents and coaches about their rights and by working to influence policy in sports organizations.[1] The Foundation also works to encourage girls to participate in sports and physical activities for healthier bodies and minds.

Tyus also served as a goodwill ambassador to Africa.

1976: Inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame
1980: Inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame
1981: Inducted into the International Women's Sports Hall of Fame

Sources:

[1] Women's Sports Foundation
New Georgia Encyclopedia
USA Track and Field