Multi-Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Several Olympians gathered in Nashville Friday night to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1960 Summer Olympics.

The event was hosted by legendary TSU Tigerbelles coach Ed Temple.

Temple reflected on Wilma Rudolph, who 50 years ago, took U.S. women’s track to a new level.

“She was the queen of the 1960 Olympics. She won three gold medals in the 100 meter, 200 meter, 4×100 relay,” said Coach Ed Temple, who coached Rudolph.

Rudolph became the first American woman to win three gold medals in track and field in the Olympic Games.

While the anniversary of the 1960 Olympics in Rome is a celebration of all the athletes from those games, Rudolph is fondly remembered by her teammates.

Lucinda Williams-Adams passed the baton to Rudolph in the final lap of the gold medal 4×100 meter relay.
  
Williams-Adams said, “Not sad, but joyful because we do not have Wilma, but we carry the legacy on, because that’s what she would want.”

The talent on that famous team was remembered at the celebration and fundraiser for Franklin’s New Hope Academy.

Temple said, “It was a great Olympic team. We had Cassias Clay, Muhammad Ali, Oscar Robinson, Jerry West. It was a great group.”

Even today, there’s still excitement and fan fare for the amazing athletes like Sports Illustrated 1958 sportsman of the year, Rafer Johnson. 

He took home the gold medal in the decathlon in 1960.

Johnson said, “I love these types of reunions, because they’re about very happy times and friends that you don’t see often enough.”

Times have changed since the 1960 Olympics, but those who were on that team say there’s a lot young athletes can learn from history.

“Where there’s a will there’s a way,” Temple said. “All of these young ladies came from meager circumstances, and they all graduated college. All of them got their degree. I think that’s awfully important this day and time.”

Williams-Adams said, “We remember Mr. Temple and the way in which he taught us to become not only a good [at] track… but also educate us.”

Fellow gold medalist Ralph Boston and other Olympians, including gold medal-winning Tigerbelles Barbara Jones-Slater and Martha Hudson and swimmer Lance Larson were also at Friday’s event.

Proceeds from the event benefit a scholarship fund established in Temple’s name at New Hope Academy.