Product Description
Facts and figures from every Track and Field Olympic Trial from 1908 to 2000. LOTS of info. ... Read more

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This comprehensive reference work details the accomplishments of over 90 African-American women in Olympic track and field. They overcame racism, sexism and often, abject poverty to compete and frequently to set world records and win Olympic medals.Detailed information is provided on their Olympic participation and accomplishments. Also, through a series of first-person interviews, 20 of the most prominent Olympians (such as Wilma Rudolph and Evelyn Ashford) reveal their struggles both on and off the track. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Can You Catch Them?
Track and field is the one sport were an athlete by there single effort of running, jumping, or throwing can establish there superiority over all competitors. Michael D. Davis the author of "Black American Women In Olympic Track and Field" writes an inspiring story of how African American women rose in Olympic Track and Field. Until 1948 Black American women were not allowed to compete in Olympic Track and Field despite there outstanding in the sport. Davis glorifies athletes like Alice Coachman, Mae Faggs, Wilma Rudolf, Earlene Brown, Willye White, Wyomia Tyus, Edith McGuire, Chandra Chessebrough, Evelyn Ashford, Valarie Brisco-Hooks, Florence Griffith-Joyner, Jakie Joyner-Kerse and many more. He tells about there life stories and the many adversities they had to go through. These women were said to be manly and had to undergo criticism from newspaper writers and television and radio host. For three generations black women have played a major role in the Olympic track and field events and still continue till this day.
Davis includes illustrations of these great athletes, this helps the reader envision what the conditions were in those times. These stories are in great detail and reveal fascinating information about these female runners, jumpers, and throwers. Some of the athletes still alive praise this book for the dedication Davis put into the writing of this book. There are a few negatives about this book, the writing sometime drags on and drifts to other athletes off the topic. Although the reading about some unknown athletes can be boring, it is interesting to learn about these different people. The book is easy to understand and read, it is overall a wonderful read and I recommend to any athlete who would like to be inspired by other great athletes. ... Read more

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Provides an overview of track and field competition at the Olympics. ... Read more

Product Description
This reference work gives information on all athletes who have set world Olympic or American records in track and field since 1946. Arranged by track and field events, a listing of the record holders is first provided. This is followed by an accounting of each of the record-setting performances, including athlete's name, country and record. For most record holders, a brief profile is given, focusing on the actual record and providing information on the athlete's overall career. ... Read more

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Track and Field is the most basic of athletic competition as it measures athletes' speed, strength, and coordination.Since the revival of the ancient Olympic games in 1896, the sport has provided its share of inspiring moments as well as controversies. (20020901) ... Read more

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In 1922 the United States selected 22 women to compete in the Women's World Games in Paris. Upon their return, female physical educators severely criticized their efforts, decrying "the evils of competition."

Wilma Rudolph's triumphant Olympics in 1960 sparked renewed support for women's track and field in the United States. From 1922 to 1960, thousands of women competed, and won many gold medals, with little encouragement or recognition. This reference work provides a history, based on many interviews and meticulous research in primary source documents, of women's track and field, from its beginnings on the lawns of Vassar College in 1895, through 1980, when Title IX began to create a truly level playing field for men and women. The results of Amateur Athletic Union Women's Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Championships since 1923 are given, as well as full coverage of female Olympians. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A must-have track and field reference.
As a Physical Education teacher and former Chair of a SUNY Department of Health and Physical Education, I found this book to be an excellent resource.It is well researched, compulsively thorough, and presentedclearly.The book is a boon for those looking for any information relatedto women's track and field from its inception in 1895 to 1980.It followsthe significant setbacks and victories of women's track and field in aninteresting narrative backed up by reams of statistics.

The only book of its kind---Everything you want to know!
This book is a must for all public and college libraries so that the thousands of young women in high schools and colleges who run every day have access to the history of their sport. It includes everything anyone would want to know about women's track and field history...louise mead tricard (author) ... Read more

Product Description
"The important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning, but taking part. The essential thing in life is not conquering, but fighting well."
- Baron Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Games

TRACKING HEROES is about the dreams, goals, challenges, and values of thirteen track and field stars who sought the best in themselves, honored their sport, and enriched their world. Through these profiles you will meet athletes whose determination, drive, character, and courage led to success in sports and in their lives - men and women who overcame personal obstacles, experienced the excitement of competition, and savored the satisfaction of achievement.