Black American Women in Olympic Track and Field: A Complete Illustrated Reference

by Michael D. Davis

This comprehensive reference work details the accomplishments of over 90 African-American women in Olympic track and field. They overcame racism, sexism and often, abject poverty to compete and frequently to set world records and win Olympic medals.Detailed information is provided on their Olympic participation and accomplishments. Also, through a series of first-person interviews, 20 of the most prominent Olympians (such as Wilma Rudolph and Evelyn...

• Format: Library Binding
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0899506925
• ISBN13: 9780899506920
• Release Date: January 1992
• Publisher: McFarland & Company
• Length: 170 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Can You Catch Them?

Track and field is the one sport were an athlete by there single effort of running, jumping, or throwing can establish there superiority over all competitors. Michael D. Davis the author of "Black American Women In Olympic Track and Field" writes an inspiring story of how African American women rose in Olympic Track and Field. Until 1948 Black American women were not allowed to compete in Olympic Track and Field despite there outstanding in the sport. Davis glorifies athletes like Alice Coachman, Mae Faggs, Wilma Rudolf, Earlene Brown, Willye White, Wyomia Tyus, Edith McGuire, Chandra Chessebrough, Evelyn Ashford, Valarie Brisco-Hooks, Florence Griffith-Joyner, Jakie Joyner-Kerse and many more. He tells about there life stories and the many adversities they had to go through. These women were said to be manly and had to undergo criticism from newspaper writers and television and radio host. For three generations black women have played a major role in the Olympic track and field events and still continue till this day. Davis includes illustrations of these great athletes, this helps the reader envision what the conditions were in those times. These stories are in great detail and reveal fascinating information about these female runners, jumpers, and throwers. Some of the athletes still alive praise this book for the dedication Davis put into the writing of this book. There are a few negatives about this book, the writing sometime drags on and drifts to other athletes off the topic. Although the reading about some unknown athletes can be boring, it is interesting to learn about these different people. The book is easy to understand and read, it is overall a wonderful read and I recommend to any athlete who would like to be inspired by other great athletes.