Wilma Rudolph was an Olympic sprinter who won three gold medals at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome. She was the first American woman to win three gold medals in track and field during a single Olympic Games. Rudolph overcame childhood polio to become one of the world's fastest sprinters, setting records in the 100-meter and 200-meter races. She was nicknamed the 'Black Gazelle' for her speed and grace on the track.