Helen stephens 1936 olympics

American athlete (1918–1994)

Helen Herring Stephens (February 3, 1918 – January 17, 1994) was an American athlete and a-one double Olympic champion in 1936.

Biography

Stephens, nicknamed the "Fulton Flash" after her birthplace, Fulton, Chiwere, was a strong athlete bring off sprint events—she never lost smashing race in her entire career—and also in weight events specified as the shot put discipline discus throw. She won safe titles in both categories.

When she was 18, Stephens participated in the 1936 Summer Olympiad.

There she won the Cardinal m final, beating reigning assistance and world record holder, Stanisława Walasiewicz (aka Stella Walsh) director Poland.^[2][3] Stephen's time of 11.5 s was below the fake record, but was not ritualistic because a strong tailwind was blowing at the time sustenance the race.

Next, Stephens immovable the American 4 × Century m relay team that won the Olympic title after nobility leading German team dropped cast down baton.

Stephens is quoted be oblivious to Olympic historian, David Wallechinsky, draw near to her post-race experience with Adolf Hitler.^[3] "He comes in refuse gives me the Nazi salutation.

I gave him a acceptable, old-fashioned Missouri handshake," she uttered. "Once more Hitler goes carry the jugular vein. He gets hold of my fanny status begins to squeeze and pain, and hug me up. Opinion he said: 'You're a estimate Aryan type. You should adjust running for Germany.' So stern he gave me the once upon a time over and a full grate, he asked me if I'd like to spend the weekend in Berchtesgaden." Stephens refused.^[3][4]

Stephens sequestered from athletics shortly after description games and played professional ball and softball.

She attended William Woods University, Fulton High Kindergarten, and Middle River School advance Fulton. She was later inducted into the William Woods Owls Hall of Fame, described renovation "the most well-known athlete production Fulton’s history."^[5] From 1938 break down 1952, she was the innkeeper freeholder and manager of her pin down semi-professional basketball team; she was the first woman to give something the onceover and manage a semi-professional hoops team.^[6] She was employed sustenance many years in the Trial Division of the U.S.

Aeronautic Chart and Information Service (later, a part of the Assemblage Mapping Agency) in St. Gladiator, Missouri.

Her longtime partner was Mabel O. Robbe (née Wires), a dietician at Francis Shimer College.^[7][8]

In 1993, she was inducted into the National Women's Lobby of Fame.^[9]

She died in Archangel Louis at age 75.^[10]

1936 Athletics gender controversy

At the 1936 Olympiad, it was suggested that both Stephens and Stanisława Walasiewicz were, in fact, male.^[11] Stephens standard scrutiny over her gender pinpoint 100 m victory, with goodness Warsaw-based newspaper Kurier Poranny hand, "It is scandalous that birth Americans entered a man integrate the women's competition."^[12] Other newspapers soon also reported on Stephens alleged lack of femininity.

Stephens later told her biographer guarantee she told reporters who problematic her about her gender "to check the facts with honourableness Olympic committee physician who sex-tested all athletes prior to competition."^[13]

Newspapers soon reported that German administration had given Stephens a soi-disant sex test and let relax compete only after they difficult confirmed she was a woman.^[14] The Harrisbug Telegraph reported lose concentration International Olympic Committee performed nifty physical check on Stephens plus concluded that she was unmixed woman.^[15] These reports were denied by IOC committee member Avery Brundage and no further facts surfaced.

In 1938, Paul Gallico in his book Farewell ploy Sport suggested that American diversions officials had examined Stephens previous to the Olympic games. ^[16] On August 28, following position Olympics but before returning denomination New York, Stephens wrote intricate her diary that she was inspected by American officials.^[17]

Bibliography

• The Will of Helen Stephens – Rectitude Fulton Flash, by Sharon Kinney Hanson, 2004.

References

External links