Olympic Dreams

Gold medalist high jumper Alice Coachman wasn't the only black woman to make Olympic history. Check-out a few more groundbreaking achievements by kick-ass/inspiring African-American ladies below:

Gabby Douglas

Gabby Douglas

Sixteen year-old Gabby Douglas became the first African-American Olympic athlete to earn the gold medal in the women's all-around gymnastics competition at London’s 2012 summer games. (1, 2)

Below, check-out Gabby’s routines from the London’s Games 2012 Gymnastics trials. She placed first, securing her a spot on the USA Gymnastics Olympic team.

Debi Thomas

Debi Thomas

During the 1988 Olympics games in Calgary, figure skater and pre-med student at Stanford University, Debi Thomas became the first Black-American to win an Olympic medal; she took home bronze. (1, 2)

During the Ladies' Long Program, Debi Thomas made errors on multiple jumps, finishing in fourth place. These mistakes dropped her from 1st place overall to 3rd. Watch her routine below:

Willye White

Willye White

Between 1956 and 1972, Willye White competed in five Olympics games. She became the first American track and field athlete-black or white, male or female, to realize this achievement. (1, 2)

A short video tribute to Willye White from her posthumous 2009 induction into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame:

Venus and Serena Williams

Venus and Serena Williams

At Sydney’s 2000 Summer Olympics, Venus and Serena Williams became the first sisters to win gold medals in the tennis doubles tournament. (1, 2)

Venus and Serena captured another first during the 2012 Olympic Games when they became the first tennis players to win four gold medals:

Vonetta Flowers and partner Jill Bakken  

Vonetta Flowers

Bobsledder Vonetta Flowers became the first Black-American to earn a gold medal at the Winter Olympics when she and teammate Jill Bakken raced in Salt Lake City’s 2002 Games. (1, 2)

NBC News’ coverage of Vonetta and Jill’s win at the Salt Lake Olympics:

Audrey ("Mickey") Patterson-Tyler

Audrey ("Mickey") Patterson-Tyler

Also competing with Alice Coachman, the first Black-American woman to earn an Olympic gold medal, at the 1948 London Olympics was Audrey ("Mickey") Patterson-Tyler. After receiving a bronze in the 200-meter dash, Audrey became the first African-American female Olympic medalist. (1, 2)