3
GOLD
1
SILVER
0
BRONZE
Athlete Bio#
Age
79
Hometown
Griffin, GA
Education
Tennessee State University
Quick Facts
- Daughter of Willie and Marie Tyus
- Has three older brothers
- Member of the Olympic Protest for Human Rights
- Participated in a silent protest during the Olympic Games Mexico City 1968 when she wore black shorts in each of her events
- Founding member of the Women’s Sports Foundation
- U.S. Track and Field Hall of Fame inductee.
Olympic Experience
- 2-time Olympian; 4-time Olympic medalist (3 gold, 1 silver)
- Olympic Games Mexico City 1968, gold (100m - Women, 4 x 100m Relay - Women), 6th (200m - Women)
- Olympic Games Tokyo 1964, gold (100m - Women), silver (4 x 100m Relay - Women)
Hall Of Fame Bio #
Wyomia Tyus is the first person to win Olympic gold medals in the 100-meter race at two consecutive Olympic Games. The Griffin, Georgia, native ran for Tennessee State University, where she was a three-time winner in the indoor 60-yard dash and set world records in the event in 1965 and 1966. She claimed her first gold medal at the Olympic Games Tokyo 1964, along with the silver medal as part of the 4x100 meter relay team. Tyus defended her title four years later at the Mexico City Games, logging a world record time of 11.08 seconds, while earning a third gold medal in the 4x100 meter relay. Tyus was a founding member of the Women’s Sports Foundation and was honored by her hometown with the Wyomia Tyus Olympic Park. She was inducted into the U.S. Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1980 and was one of 11 athletes who carried the Olympic flag during the Opening Ceremony for the Los Angeles 1984 Games.
