408. Wyomia Tyus, 1964 & 1968 Olympic Gold Medalist

Ali Feller welcomes two-time Olympian Wyomia Tyus to the podcast, discussing her remarkable life journey. Tyus reflects on growing up in Georgia during the Jim Crow era, where she faced racism and personal tragedies that shaped her character. She emphasizes the pivotal moments in her life, including her groundbreaking achievements at the Olympic Games, where she became the first person to win back-to-back gold medals in the 100 meters. The conversation explores her role in the 1968 Olympic protests, her motivations for wearing black shorts as a form of protest, and her reflections on witnessing her contemporaries succeed. Tyus also emphasizes the importance of education and mentorship throughout her journey and shares insights on how those experiences shaped her values and commitment to social issues. As she looks back, Tyus encourages current athletes to 'stay in the fight' and make their voices heard in the pursuit of equality and opportunity for all.