Track and Field Black History artwork

Track and Field Black History

50 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 8 ratings

Track And Field Black History is a platform to share stories of Black Athletes, Coaches and others from around the world who have contributed to the Track & Field and Running community for over 100 years. Join us as we tell the stories, both known and unknown, of those in the greatest sport in the world.

Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/trackandfieldblackhistory/

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Episodes

The Story of Sylvio Cator - Haitian Activist, Ambassador and Athlete

October 23, 2022 11:00 - 12 minutes - 11.2 MB

When speaking about athletics, Haiti is often forgotten and left out of the conversation. Stories and news about the country are usually dominated by the struggles it is either currently facing or has gone through in the past Many know Haiti as the first Black republic in the world after the Haitian Revolution of 1791 -1804. Few are familiar with the almost 20 year occupation from 1915 - 1934 by the United States. And even fewer are familiar with one of the most outspoken activists and amba...

The Story of Alice Coachman - The First Black Woman to Win Olympic Gold

October 16, 2022 11:00 - 14 minutes - 13.7 MB

The Modern Olympic Games were first held in 1896 in Athens, Greece. 1904 saw the first Black man, George Poage win an Olympic medal, while 1908 was the first time a Black man, John Taylor, would win an Olympic Gold medal.  Women’s events in Track & Field were first introduced at the 1928 Games while 1936 was the first time an African American woman would have the chance to compete, with Tyide Pickett breaking that barrier With both the 1940 and 1944 Olympic cancelled due to World War 2, it...

The Story of Mack Robinson - 1936 Olympic Silver Medalist in the 200m

October 11, 2022 11:00 - 16 minutes - 14.7 MB

Jackie Robinson and Jesse Owens are two of the greatest athletes in the history of sport. Jackie broke the color barrier in baseball becoming the first Black athlete to play in the MLB. While in Track & Field, Owens won 4 Olympic Gold medals at the 1936 Olympic Games and is credited as crushing Hitler's myth of Aryan supremacy. But just behind both Jackie Robinson and Jessie Owens was Matthew “Mack” Robinson, Jackie’s older brother and the Olympic silver medalist in the 200m right behind Ow...

The Story of Edith McGuire - 3-time Olympic Medalist in 1964

October 06, 2022 10:30 - 10 minutes - 9.2 MB

Many of us know the story of Wilma Rudolph and what she did at the 1960 Olympic Games, overcoming various illnesses to become the first woman to win 3 Olympic Gold Medals, in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay. But just 4 years later, fellow TSU Tigerbelle Edith McGuire, who is often forgotten, also won 3 Olympic medals at the 1964 Games in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m. Though she earned 1 gold and 2 silvers, McGuire's accomplishments were just as impactful and deserve a bit of highlight as well...

The Story of Jim Hines - 1968 Olympic 100m Gold Medalist

October 03, 2022 10:30 - 12 minutes - 11.1 MB

The 10 second barrier has been a milestone for decades in the Men’s 100m Dash. A time of 9.9 seconds was seen as a right of passage into becoming an elite sprinter, and among one of the best in the world. Though running sub 10 is commonplace today amongst the top sprinters in the world, about 50 years ago in 1968, no man had ever broken the barrier. Not until Jim Hines. Jim Hines became the first person to break the 10 second barrier when he ran a hand-timed 9.9 second 100m dash at the 196...

A Conversation with Joanna Hayes | 2004 Olympic Champion in the 100m Hurdles

August 24, 2022 10:30 - 38 minutes - 35.4 MB

On August 24th 2004, Joanna Hayes won the Olympic Gold medal in the Women's 100mH in Athens, Greece. She became the first American Women to win Olympic Gold in the event since Benita Fitzgerald at the 1984 Olympics. Her winning time of 12.37 broke the Olympic Record in the event set back in Seoul 1988. Hayes has since transitioned into coaching, now working at the University of Southern California as the Assistant Sprints and Hurdles coach. She also works with pro athletes such as Rai Benja...

A Conversation with Joanna Hayes - 2004 Olympic Champion in the 100m Hurdles

August 24, 2022 10:30 - 38 minutes - 35.4 MB

On August 24th 2004, Joanna Hayes won the Olympic Gold medal in the Women's 100mH in Athens, Greece. She became the first American Women to win Olympic Gold in the event since Benita Fitzgerald at the 1984 Olympics. Her winning time of 12.37 broke the Olympic Record in the event set back in Seoul 1988. Hayes has since transitioned into coaching, now working at the University of Southern California as the Assistant Sprints and Hurdles coach. She also works with pro athletes such as Rai Benja...

Another Brief Conversation with Renaldo Nehemiah During the 2022 World Championships

August 19, 2022 10:30 - 20 minutes - 18.9 MB

On August 19th 1981, Renaldo Nehemiah became the 1st person to break the 13 second barrier in the history of the 110m Hurdles. His time of 12.93 seconds improved on his previous World Record of 13.00 set back in 1979.  Nehemiah is still one of the greatest athletes in the history of the sport and has since transitioned from athlete to agent, having worked with everyone from Kirani James and Allyson Felix to Allen Johnson and Sha’Carri Richardson. At the recent 2022 World Championships in E...

A Conversation with Gail Devers | 3-Time Olympic Champion

August 09, 2022 10:00 - 33 minutes - 30.9 MB

3-time Olympic Gold medalist and 9-time World Champion Gail Devers joins us for a brief conversation durring the 2022 World Championships. Gail Devers is just the 2nd woman and 3rd person, man or woman, to ever win back to back 100m titles at the Olympic Games. She also won multiple World Championship golds at 100m Hurdles, 100m and 60m hurdles, including a 100/100mh double at the 1993 World Championships. In our conversation, we dive into her foray into commentating, working with athletes...

A Conversation with Coach John Smith | Legendary Sprint Coach from UCLA, HSI and Current 440yd WR Holder

July 13, 2022 13:20 - 1 hour - 108 MB

Coach John Smith is a legend in every sense of the word. On the track, he not only won double gold at the 1971 Pan American Games and competed at the 1972 Olympics, but he also still holds the world record in the 440 yard dash. During his career as a coach, he has worked with a whos-who in the sport. From Steve Lewis and Kevin Young, to Carmelita Jeter and English Gardiner, he has guided a plethora of his athletes' to success at the highest levels of the sport. In our conversation, we of co...

A Conversation with Coach John Smith

July 13, 2022 13:20 - 1 hour - 108 MB

Coach John Smith is a legend in every sense of the word. On the track, he not only won double gold at the 1971 Pan American Games and competed at the 1972 Olympics, but he also still holds the world record in the 440 yard dash. During his career as a coach, he has worked with a whos-who in the sport. From Steve Lewis and Kevin Young, to Carmelita Jeter and English Gardiner, he has guided a plethora of his athletes' to success at the highest levels of the sport. In our conversation, we of co...

A Brief Conversation with Renaldo Nehemiah | The First Sub-13 second Hurdler in History

July 08, 2022 10:30 - 12 minutes - 11 MB

Recently at the NYC Grand Prix, we had the chance to speak with Renaldo Nehemiah. Nehemiah is one of the greatest hurdlers in history and the first person to ever run sub-13 seconds in the 110m Hurdles.    In our conversation we dive into his history, why he chose to attend the University of Maryland, his transition to professional football durring the age of amateur track and the ways he supports athletes he currently manages as an Agent.   Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram....

A Conversation with Sanjay Ayre: Olympic and World Champion in the 4x400m for Jamaica

July 05, 2022 11:00 - 1 hour - 55.7 MB

Many people tend to forget about the 400m during the early 2000s between when Michael Johnson retired and when Jeremy Wariner came on the scene. But Sanjay Ayre of Jamaica was an integral part of the event during that time period. Ayre made his first Olympic team in 2000, at just 19 years old and went on to win a silver medal as part of the 4x400m relay, and was later part of a consistent Jamaican contingent that won relay medals in 2001, 2003 and 2005. In our conversation, we dive into hi...

A Brief Conversation with 3-Time Olympian Tonja Buford-Bailey

July 01, 2022 13:02 - 7 minutes - 7.13 MB

Tonja Buford-Bailey is a 3 time Olympian in the 400m Hurdles, having competed at the 1992, 1996 and 2000 Games. She won a Bronze medal at those 1996 Atlanta Games, and was also part of a legendary photo finish race with American teammate Kim Batten in 1995 where both ladies went under the previous world record. Since retiring from the track, Buford-Bailey has become one of the most successful coaches in the sport, coaching at the University of Illinois as well as the University of Texas. She...

A Brief Conversation with 4-time Olympian Aliann Pompey of Guyana

June 29, 2022 13:29 - 8 minutes - 8.13 MB

Aliann Pompey of Guyana is a 4 time Olympian having competed in the 400m at the 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012 Games. Her career on the track was highlighted by her longevity having not only competed at 4 Olympic Games, but also 6 World Championships, 5 World Indoor Championships and 3 Commonwealth Games all between 2000 and and 2012. In addition to her accolades on the track, Pompey has served on various athlete commissions and committees and has created the AP Invitational in Guyana which has ...

A Conversation with Judi Brown Clarke | 1984 Olympic Silver Medalist in the 400mH

June 19, 2022 16:25 - 1 hour - 66.6 MB

Judi Brown Clarke is the 1984 Olympic silver medalist in the 400mH at a time when the Women's event was still in its infancy on the international stage, so she was one of the pioneers in the event. She also won the 400mH at the Pan-American games in 1983 and 1987. But even more than an Athlete, Judi Brown Clarke has been an integral part of politics, education, science, technology, and has been focused on leadership and equity in the many years since her career on the track. In our conversa...

A Conversation with Joetta | 4-Time Olympian in the 800m

June 15, 2022 10:30 - 43 minutes - 39.9 MB

Joetta is a 4-time Olympian in the 800m, having made every team between 1988-2000, and one of the most consistent athletes in the sport, having ranked 22 consecutive years in the US top-10. More than just an athlete, Joetta is an Entrepreneur, Author, Motivational Speaker and mother of NCAA Champion Talitha Diggs. We recorded this conversation a week before Talitha went on to win the 400m at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. In our conversation, we dive into various topics including growing u...

A Conversation With Coaches | Dennis Mitchell, Alleyne Francique, Randall Cunningham, John Smith

June 09, 2022 10:30 - 30 minutes - 27.9 MB

At the 2022 Prefontaine Classic, we had the chance to speak with multiple coaches who were legends in their own right before they transitioned into coaching:   Dennis Mitchell 3-time Olympian in the 100m in the 80s and 90s Currently leads Star Athletics and coaches the likes of Sha'carri Richardson and Kenny Bednarek   Alleyne Francique 2-time 400m World indoor gold medalist for Granada's in 2004 and 2006  Coaches Fred Kerley among other athletes   Randall Cunningham Former NFL le...

A Brief Conversation with Wallace Spearmon at the 2022 Prefontaine Classic

June 06, 2022 13:24 - 9 minutes - 8.56 MB

Wallace Spearmon is a 4-time World Championship medalist, and still one of the fastest 200m runners in the history of the sport.  He talks with us about recently transitioning into his post track career and now having the opportunity to work with current athletes to help fix some of the problems he experienced while he was competing as an athlete. We also dive into his personality on the track, role models and his support system while competing as well as a discussion on if more prominent s...

A Conversation with Coach Lawrence ”Boogie” Johnson at the 2022 Prefontaine Classic

June 01, 2022 10:30 - 16 minutes - 15.2 MB

Lawrence Boogie Johnson, also known as the Hurdle Mechanic, talks with us about his career, not only as a coach but also as an athlete at the University of Arkansas where he ran the 400m for the Razorbacks. He went on to have one of the greatest coaching careers in history, working with athletes from Queen Harrison-Claye and Brianna Rollins McNeal, to Dalilah Muhammad and Gianna Woodruff. In addition to hurdles, he works with sprinters such as Bryce Deadmon and Brittany Brown. In our conver...

Coach Lawrence ”Boogie” Johnson at the 2022 Prefontaine Classic

June 01, 2022 10:30 - 16 minutes - 15.2 MB

  Lawrence Boogie Johnson, also known as the Hurdle Mechanic, talks with us about his career, not only as a coach but also as an athlete at the University of Arkansas where he ran the 400m for the Razorbacks. He went on to have one of the greatest coaching careers in history, working with athletes from Queen Harrison-Claye and Brianna Rollins McNeal, to Dalilah Muhammad and Gianna Woodruff. In addition to hurdles, he works with sprinters such as Bryce Deadmon and Brittany Brown. In our con...

A Conversation with 3-Time Olympic Gold Medalist Steve Lewis

May 18, 2022 10:30 - 59 minutes - 54.9 MB

Steve Lewis is a 3-time Olympic Gold medalist in the 400m and 4x400m and still holds the World Junior record in the 400m at 43.87, the only U20 athlete to ever break 44 seconds. In our conversation, we dive into Lewis background growing up in Los Angeles as well as the support he received from his family and community. He also talks about his family who served in the military and the work he does now to support the Veteran community. Lewis also talks about the competitive training environm...

A Conversation with 2-time Olympic Medalist Terrence Trammell

May 11, 2022 10:30 - 1 hour - 64.1 MB

Terrence Trammell is a 2-time Olympic medalist, 2-time World Champion, 3-time World Silver medalist and arguably the greatest sprint-hurdle combo athlete in history.  In our conversation, we talk about his upbringing in Atlanta and how. After watching the 1996 Olympics in his hometown at just 18 years old, he made it a goal to be at the next Games. He not only made it to the Olympics, but won silver in 2000 and would go on to win medals at various championships through 2010. We also discuss...

A Conversation with World Champion and 3-Time Olympian Mark Everett

May 04, 2022 10:30 - 41 minutes - 38 MB

Mark Everett is a 3-time Olympian, World Champion and World Record Holder in the 600 yards. With personal bests of 44.59 and 1:43.20, he is still easily one of the best 400/800 combination runners in history. In our conversation, we touch upon various topics including, being born in Brooklyn but growing up in Florida, his entry into T&F, his relationships with other athletes in different events and how they helped him during and after his career, and we dive to how the sport is represented ...

When Merlene Ottey became the first Jamaican Woman to win an Olympic Medal

April 27, 2022 10:30 - 10 minutes - 9.5 MB

Over the course of 30 plus years, Merlene Ottey competed in 7 Olympic Games, 9 World Championships, and earned almost 40 global medals both indoors and outdoors. Her longevity and career accolades led to her being called the "Queen of the Track”.  Though she has already been running for a few years, after watching Jamaica’s Don Quarrie’s win Olympic 200m Gold and 100m Silver medal at the 1976 Olympics, Ottey was further inspired to one day become an Olympic medalist herself. Ottey won her ...

A Conversation with 2-time Olympic Champion Antonio McKay

April 20, 2022 10:30 - 44 minutes - 40.4 MB

Antonio Mckay is a 2-time Olympic Champion, 2-time World Indoor Champion and 440-yard Indoor World Record holder. Along with names like Steve Lewis, Alonzo Babers, Butch Reynolds and Danny Everrett, McKay was part of a Golden age of 400m sprinting in the 1980s.  In our conversation, we touch upon various topics including, growing up in Atlanta and his entry into T&F, the competition and camaraderie between him and other 400m runners, why he preferred running Indoors to Outdoors, managing fi...

The Story of The 1968 Olympic Men’s 4x400m Relay

April 13, 2022 10:00 - 14 minutes - 13.3 MB

At the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, Mexico, the United States 4x400m Relay team composed of Vincent Matthews, Ron Freeman, Larry James and Lee Evans won the Gold medal and broke the world record in one of the most impressive performances in the history of the sport. Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trackandfieldblackhistory/  

Tessa Sanderson - Great Britain’s Javelin Olympic Gold Medalist

March 18, 2022 13:00 - 12 minutes - 11.2 MB

In 1984, Tessa Sanderson became the first Black athlete and first British athlete to win Olympic Gold in the Javelin Throw. Follow Track and Field Black History on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trackandfieldblackhistory/

The Black Women of the 1948 US Olympic Team

March 10, 2022 12:00 - 9 minutes - 9.04 MB

At the 1948 Olympic Games, the US Women’s Olympic team consisted of 12 women, 9 of whom were Black women, which was a huge milestone for representation of Black Women in Athletics. Follow Track and Field Black History on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trackandfieldblackhistory/

Marilyn Fay Neufville - Jamaica’s First Women’s World Record Holder

February 10, 2022 13:00 - 14 minutes - 13.7 MB

At the 1970 Commonwealth Games, Marilyn Fay Neufville became the first Jamaican woman to break a World Record in Track & Field and still to this day, the only Black woman to hold the 400m World Record. Her perofrmance and career set the foundation for generations of Jamaican sprinters from Merlene Ottey and Deon Hemmings to Veronica Campbell-Brown and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce   Follow Track and Field Black History on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trackandfieldblackhistory/

Willie Davenport - The First Black Athlete to Compete at the Winter Olympic Games

February 01, 2022 13:00 - 17 minutes - 16.2 MB

In 1980, Willie Davenport became the first Black athlete to compete at the Winter Olympic Games. Along with competing in the 110m Hurdles in 4 consecutive Olympics from 1964 to 1976, he also became the first Black athlete to compete in both the Summer and Winter Olympics.   Follow Track and Field Black History on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trackandfieldblackhistory/

Kim Batten and Tonja Buford-Bailey in the 400mH at the 1995 World Championships

January 24, 2022 14:00 - 12 minutes - 11.4 MB

In 1995, Kim Batten and Tonja Buford-Bailey of the United States made history. At the World Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden, both ladies ended up in a thrilling race that would see them go under the previous world record at the time, and for the first time ever, a Black Woman would win a gold medal in the 400m Hurdles. Follow Track and Field Black History on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trackandfieldblackhistory/

Eddie Tolan and Ralph Metcalfe in the 100m Dash at the 1932 Olympic Games

January 17, 2022 15:30 - 8 minutes - 7.95 MB

The Men’s 100m Dash final at the 1932 Olympic Games was a historic set of firsts. Eddie Tolan became the first Black athlete to win Olympic 100m Gold. Tolan’s close finish with Ralph Metcalfe was also the first time photo finish technology had been put to the test in a high profile 100m final. The contentious results would lead to rule changes in how athletes are understood to win a race and would also set the foundation for Black athletes dominating the 100m for years to come.   Follow Tr...

Eddie Tolan and Ralph Metcalfe at the 1932 Olympic 100m Final

January 17, 2022 15:30 - 8 minutes - 7.95 MB

The Men’s 100m Dash final at the 1932 Olympic Games was a historic set of firsts. Eddie Tolan became the first Black athlete to win Olympic 100m Gold. Tolan’s close finish with Ralph Metcalfe was also the first time photo finish technology had been put to the test in a high profile 100m final. The contentious results would lead to rule changes in how athletes are understood to win a race and would also set the foundation for Black athletes dominating the 100m for years to come.   Follow Tr...

Florence Griffith-Joyner at the 1982 and 1983 NCAA Championships

January 10, 2022 16:00 - 9 minutes - 8.77 MB

When Florence Griffith-Joyner retired after the 1988 season, she was closing out her career as one of the greatest athletes in track and field history. Flo-Jo had broken world records in the 100m and 200m, setting seemingly untouchable times that still stand to this day. She also won Olympic Gold in the 100m, 200m, 4x100 as well as silver in the 4x400 at 1988 Seoul Games. But prior to her legendary success as a professional, she was setting the foundation for her career in the NCAA. While c...

Dawn Sowell: The Unbreakable NCAA Sprint Record Holder

April 27, 2021 22:28 - 16 minutes - 15.2 MB

In 2019, Sha'Carri Richardson of LSU broke the NCAA record in the 100m, running 10.75 seconds. 2 years prior in 2017,  Kyra Jefferson of Florida ran 22.02 seconds to break the NCAA record in the 200m. These sprint records had long stood at the top of the record books and had been literally un breakable for decades. Names like Kimberlyn Duncan, Aleia Hobbs, Deajah Stevens and others all came close but it took 30 years for the records to finally come down. Thoes records date back to the 1989 ...

John Akii-Bua: The Ugandan Olympic Champion

April 23, 2021 11:32 - 22 minutes - 21.1 MB

In the 1970s, Uganda was under the control of a brutal dictator Idi Amin, who was committing genocide on his own people. Over 300,000 Langi people in Uganda had been killed during his 8 year reign. During that time though, John Akii-Bua had managed to win the 400m Hurdles at the 1972 Olympic Games, becoming the first Ugandan athlete to win an Olympic Gold medal. Because of this,  he became a national hero and was rewarded with celebrations and gifts from Idi Amin. Akii-Bua, a Langi himself, ...

John Akii-Bua: Uganda's first ever Olympic Gold Medalist

April 23, 2021 11:32 - 22 minutes - 21.1 MB

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Tidye Pickett: The First African American Woman to Compete at the Olympic Games

April 07, 2021 12:39 - 18 minutes - 17.4 MB

At the beginning of the 20th century, Women had largely been excluded from participating in athletics for various unfounded reasons. Men claimed that women were unable to handle strenuous activity like sprinting or distance running. They even claimed that sports would damage a women's internal organs and cause them to be unable to bear children. Despite all these ridiculous claims, Women finally got the opportunity to compete at the Olympics in 1928. But only white women were included. It wa...

Evelyn Ashford: The First Black Woman to win 4 Olympic Gold Medals

March 24, 2021 17:09 - 22 minutes - 20.6 MB

From becoming the first girl to compete on the track and field team at her high school, to becoming the first Black woman to win 4 Olympic Gold medals. Evelyn Ashford is without question one of the greatest athletes in the history of Track and Field.   Follow Track and Field Black History on Instagram: instagram.com/trackandfieldblackhistory

Kathy McMillan: The 2nd Black Woman, and Youngest, to Win an Olympic Long Jump Medal

March 23, 2021 12:46 - 11 minutes - 10.2 MB

Starting High School in 1972, Kathy McMillan had never heard of the Olympic Games or even participated in organized sports. But 4 years later, at just 18 years-old, she would be standing on the podium receiving an Olympic Silver medal in the Long Jump.   Follow Track and Field Black History on Instagram: instagram.com/trackandfieldblackhistory

Kim Gallagher: The First Black Woman to Win Two Olympic 800m Medals

March 09, 2021 11:03 - 20 minutes - 19.2 MB

Dealing with the dynamics of having a black mother and white father, as well as severe illness through out her entire career, Kim Gallagher rose to become of the greatest 800m runners in the sport. She was the first Black Woman to win two Olympic medals at 800m.   Follow Track and Field Black History on instagram: instagram.com/trackandfieldblackhistory

Audrey Patterson: The First African American Woman to Win an Olympic Medal

March 01, 2021 14:28 - 13 minutes - 12.7 MB

After seeing Jesse Owens speak at her high school in New Orleans, Audrey Patterson made it her dream to one day compete at the Olympics. A short 4 years later, she would become the first African American Woman to win an Olympic medal. Despite her accomplishment, he home city would show little recognition or appreciation for what she did.   Follow Track and Field Black History on instagram: instagram.com/trackandfieldblackhistory

Otis Davis: How a Basketball Scholarship Turned into an Olympic 400m Gold Medal

February 26, 2021 03:41 - 11 minutes - 10.5 MB

Originally recruited to play basketball at the University of Oregon, Otis Davis went on to have a legendary career in the sport, winning Olympic 400m Gold and becoming the first man to ever run under 45 seconds in the event.   Follow Track and Field Black History on instagram: instagram.com/trackandfieldblackhistory

The Story of Vincent Matthews, Wayne Collett and the Forgotten 1972 Olympic Protest

February 18, 2021 17:13 - 13 minutes - 12 MB

At the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, Germany, Americans Vincent Matthews and Wayne Collett won Gold and Silver respectively in the 400m. During the award ceremony, while at the top of the podium, Matthews and Collett chose to ignore the US National Anthem as it played and simply stand on the podium, fidgeting, looking around and not acknowledging the anthem. Matthews and Collett were banned from the remainder of the 1972 Games as well as from participating in future Olympics as well.   Fol...

Vincent Matthews, Wayne Collett and the Forgotten 1972 Olympic Protest

February 18, 2021 17:13 - 13 minutes - 12 MB

At the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, Germany, Americans Vincent Matthews and Wayne Collett won Gold and Silver respectively in the 400m. During the award ceremony, while at the top of the podium, Matthews and Collett chose to ignore the US National Anthem as it played and simply stand on the podium, fidgeting, looking around and not acknowledging the anthem. Matthews and Collett were banned from the remainder of the 1972 Games as well as from participating in future Olympics as well.   Fol...

Wyomia Tyus: The First Back-to-Back Olympic 100m Gold Medal Winner

February 08, 2021 14:19 - 14 minutes - 13.5 MB

Before Usain Bolt, Gail Devers, Carl Lewis, and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, there was Wyomia Tyus. Tyus set the blueprint by becoming the first person, man or woman, to defend their Olympic 100m Gold Medal.   Follow Track and Field Black History on instagram: instagram.com/trackandfieldblackhistory

The Story of Wyomia Tyus - The First Back-to-Back Olympic 100m Gold Medal Winner

February 08, 2021 14:19 - 14 minutes - 13.5 MB

Before Usain Bolt, Gail Devers, Carl Lewis, and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, there was Wyomia Tyus. Tyus set the blueprint by becoming the first person, man or woman, to defend their Olympic 100m Gold Medal.   Follow Track and Field Black History on instagram: instagram.com/trackandfieldblackhistory

The Story of Reggie McAfee - The First African American to Break 4 Minutes in the Mile

February 02, 2021 01:49 - 7 minutes - 6.95 MB

Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, in the spring of 1973 while competing as a Tar Heel for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Reggie McAfee became the first African American man to break the 4 minute mile barrier.   Follow Track and Field Black History on instagram: instagram.com/trackandfieldblackhistory

Reggie McAfee: The First African American to Break 4 Minutes in the Mile

February 02, 2021 01:49 - 7 minutes - 6.95 MB

Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, in the spring of 1973 while competing as a Tar Heel for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Reggie McAfee became the first Africa American man to break the 4 minute mile barrier.   Follow Track and Field Black History on instagram: instagram.com/trackandfieldblackhistory