Betty Robinson made history in 1928 by becoming the first woman to clinch Olympic track and field gold. Her achievement has paved the way for her fellow U.S. female athletes to etch their names into Games folklore.
Robinson's rocket —
Betty Robinson made history in 1928 by becoming the first woman to clinch Olympic track and field gold. Her achievement has paved the way for her fellow U.S. female athletes to etch their names into Games folklore.
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Robinson was lucky to survive a plane crash in 1931, and the following year Mildred "Babe" Didrikson took over her mantle as the top U.S. woman athlete, winning gold in hurdles and javelin at the Los Angeles Olympics and silver in the high jump.
The Babe —
Robinson was lucky to survive a plane crash in 1931, and the following year Mildred "Babe" Didrikson took over her mantle as the top U.S. woman athlete, winning gold in hurdles and javelin at the Los Angeles Olympics and silver in the high jump.
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Wyomia Tyus became the first sprinter, male or female, to retain the 100m title at the Olympics when she triumphed in 1968, also winning gold in the 4x100m relay in Mexico. She is seen here winning the women's 100m final at Tokyo '64.
History maker —
Wyomia Tyus became the first sprinter, male or female, to retain the 100m title at the Olympics when she triumphed in 1968, also winning gold in the 4x100m relay in Mexico. She is seen here winning the women's 100m final at Tokyo '64.
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Florence Griffith-Joyner still holds the women's world records for 100m and 200m, winning three gold medals and a silver at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. She died aged just 38, from a heart seizure while sleeping.
Flo-Jo stars in Seoul —
Florence Griffith-Joyner still holds the women's world records for 100m and 200m, winning three gold medals and a silver at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. She died aged just 38, from a heart seizure while sleeping.
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American tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams have won two gold medals together in women's doubles. Their first came at Sydney 2000, where Venus also won the singles competition.
Sister Act —
American tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams have won two gold medals together in women's doubles. Their first came at Sydney 2000, where Venus also won the singles competition.
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U.S. swimmer Amy Van Dyken overcame problems with asthma to win six gold medals during her Olympic career, with four of those coming at the 1996 Atlanta Games.
Breathless success —
U.S. swimmer Amy Van Dyken overcame problems with asthma to win six gold medals during her Olympic career, with four of those coming at the 1996 Atlanta Games.
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U.S. soccer star Mia Hamm inspired her side to gold in the women's football in Atlanta in 1996 and at Athens 2004. The Americans also triumphed at Beijing 2008.
What did you say? —
U.S. soccer star Mia Hamm inspired her side to gold in the women's football in Atlanta in 1996 and at Athens 2004. The Americans also triumphed at Beijing 2008.
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Sprinter Gail Devers overcame Graves' disease to win three Olympic gold medals, including the women's 100m in 1996 and 2000 as she emulated Tyus.
Gail Force —
Sprinter Gail Devers overcame Graves' disease to win three Olympic gold medals, including the women's 100m in 1996 and 2000 as she emulated Tyus.
Mary Lou Retton became the first American woman to win gold in the individual all-around event in 1984, breaking eastern Europe's stranglehold on the competition. She also won two silvers and two bronzes, becoming a national hero.
Making the breakthrough —
Mary Lou Retton became the first American woman to win gold in the individual all-around event in 1984, breaking eastern Europe's stranglehold on the competition. She also won two silvers and two bronzes, becoming a national hero.
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Jackie Joyner-Kersee won gold in both heptathlon and the long jump at Seoul in 1988. She then successfully defended her heptathlon title at Barcelona 1992.
Iron Woman —
Jackie Joyner-Kersee won gold in both heptathlon and the long jump at Seoul in 1988. She then successfully defended her heptathlon title at Barcelona 1992.
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