On September 17, 1960, many people who were watching the Rome Olympics paid attention to one female American athlete. She won a gold medal in the 100-meter dash by running it in 11 seconds which was equivalent to the world record. She also added two more gold medals in the 200-meter dash and the 400-meter relay. Her name is Wilma Rudolph.
What made her a great issue was not her three gold medals, but the fact that she suffered severe infantile paralysis which made her unable to walk when she was little. She explained what made her success, as follows:
“It is all thanks to my mother. She always let me believe that everything is possible if I really want it.”
Her mother travelled 80 km (50 miles) for Wilma’s treatment twice a week for two years. Whenever she walked a little, she praised her and massaged her feet all night. As a result, Wilma was able to walk to school though she walked with a limp.
Even though she was always the slowest one in the track meet, she was able to keep trying and become a world-famous athlete thanks to her mother who always stood by her and trusted her.