Description

Video clip of high jumper Alice Coachman speaking about the discrimination she endured during her training before the 1948 Olympic Games. She states that she was unable to use training facilities that were designated for whites only. She notes that she was relegated to training on roads and in pastures rather than paved tracks. She describes accepting the policy, even though she knew she was the only team member who was talented enough to join the Olympic team.Few athletes have dominated a sport as thoroughly as Alice Coachman dominated the high jump. Named to five All-American teams, she won a gold medal in the 1948 Olympics, becoming the first African American woman to do so. She has been inducted into eight halls of fame.

Record Contributed By

New Georgia Encyclopedia

Record Harvested From

Digital Library of Georgia