became first woman to win an Olympic gold medal in track when she won the 100-meter dash in a then-world-record 12.2 seconds; injuries she sustained in a 1931 plane crash nearly ended her career; no longer able to crouch down for the sprint position, she switched to relays; won gold in 4x100m relay at 1936 games in Berlin; inducted into National Track & Field Hall of Fame in 1977. She died of cancer (had Alzheimer's disease).
