SAVANNAH, Georgia (WSAV) – Wyomia Tyus is a champion sprinter who won consecutive gold medals at the height of her track and field career in the 1960s. But after leaving the spotlight in professional athletics, she continued to dedicate her life to advocating for the underrepresented.
“My thing, I always say, is always to stay in the fight and I always have to stay in the fight,” said Wyomia. “I started fighting years ago as a young girl on the boys’ team and wanted to wear pants when I wanted to wear pants,” added the three-time Olympian.
Today, more than 50 years after Wyomia became the first person to win consecutive 100 meter Olympic gold medals, Wyomia speaks louder than ever.
“If you read the record, you can’t tell, you can’t think of anything at 100 meters without saying my name first because I was the first to do it,” said Wyomia.
Wyomia’s confidence, grace, and humility, coupled with her accomplishments, were the decisive factors in favor of the judiciary during the civil rights movement. As a young athlete, she began flexing her muscles for social justice on the Tennessee State University campus, where she ran with the women’s track and field team.
The Tennessee State Tigerbelle took a stand against racism, sexism and inequality.
“I was hoping to shed some light on what is happening not just in America but the world with people of color, with women and ‘hey, these things that need to be addressed,” said Wyomia. “These things have to change and we have to keep fighting and fighting for what we believe in and what is right and true.”
WSAV News 3 traveled to Los Angeles to visit Wyomia. During the visit, she told of an incident that occurred in Tokyo when her team wanted to use the men’s team’s starting blocks for training.
“The 1964 men’s Olympic team coach didn’t let us use the men’s starting blocks in training,” said Wyomia. “And Mr. Temple couldn’t understand. He kept saying we were all Americans. “
Wyomia said Olympic gold medalist Bob Hayes came to their aid.
“Bob Hayes came up with … ‘What’s going on, coach, what’s going on?’ and he told him. He said, ‘Everyone shoot, don’t even listen to him, your girls, they can use my starting blocks whenever they want.’ “
Wyomia said the act was an important step in her fight for equal rights.
“Here you are talking about we’re all Americans and we’re all running for the US, but you can’t use the starting blocks because you’re a woman, or you were because we’re a woman and a black man,” said Wyomia.
At the 1968 Olympic Games, Wyomia supported the human rights project.
“I decided to wear my dark shorts for my protest. I wore my black shorts because I believe in human rights. I grew up in the south of Jim Crow. I grew up fighting for rights, not just for rights as black people, but for rights as women. “
“But I know what’s in my heart. I did what is right and human rights were right, so I protested, ”added Wyomia. She won as a sprinter. The victory was welcomed by the blacks and whites in their hometown.
“You are now seeing everything you do for Olympic athletes. At the time I ran, they didn’t. I mean Griffin, I have to say my hometown Griffin, Georgia. I came back from 64 ′ they had a parade for me and then in 68 ′. I mean, they even built a park on my behalf in Griffin, Georgia. Wyomia Tyus Olympic Park, and it’s one hundred and sixty acres, ”said Wyomia.
“I mean, who would have thought of Griffin, Ga. And all the things that used to go on and how Griffin used to be, that they would. I mean, that’s amazing, and that’s something that lets you know that there is change and change can happen. “
She dedicated her gold medal in the 1968 4×100 team relay victory to John Carlos and Tommie Smith after they were disqualified from the 1968 Olympics for their Black Power Salute on the podium. Wyomia also served on the Women’s Sports Foundation’s first advisory board. It was founded to promote leadership opportunities for women by supporting access to sport.
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