Helen Stephens facts for kids
Stephens in 1936
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||
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| Nickname(s) | The Fulton Flash | |||||||||||||
| Nationality | American | |||||||||||||
| Born | February 3, 1918 Fulton, Missouri, U.S. |
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| Died | January 17, 1994 (aged 75) St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
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| Height | 5 ft 11+1/2 in | |||||||||||||
| Weight | 154 lb | |||||||||||||
| Sport | ||||||||||||||
| Sport | Athletics | |||||||||||||
| Event(s) | 100 m, 200 m, shot put, discus throw | |||||||||||||
| Achievements and titles | ||||||||||||||
| Personal best(s) | 100 yd – 10.4 (1935) 100 m – 11.5 (1936) 200 m – 24.1 (1936) shot put −13.70 m (1937) discus – 39.50 m (1936) |
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Medal record
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Helen Herring Stephens (born February 3, 1918 – died January 17, 1994) was an American athlete. She became a double Olympic champion in 1936. She was known for her incredible speed and strength in many sports.
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Helen Stephens: The Fulton Flash
Helen Stephens was a very talented athlete. She was nicknamed "The Fulton Flash" because she was so fast. This nickname came from her hometown, Fulton, Missouri. Helen was amazing at sprint races, like the 100-meter dash. She never lost a race in her whole career! She was also strong in events where you throw things, like the shot put and discus throw. She won national titles in both running and throwing events.
Olympic Glory in 1936
When Helen was 18 years old, she went to the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany. This was a huge event for her.
Winning the 100-meter Race
At the Olympics, Helen competed in the 100-meter final. She raced against the current champion and world record holder, Stanisława Walasiewicz from Poland. Helen won the race! Her time was 11.5 seconds. This time was faster than the world record. However, it was not officially recognized as a new record. This was because a strong wind was blowing behind the runners during the race.
Relay Team Victory
Next, Helen was the anchor runner for the American 4 × 100-meter relay team. This means she ran the last part of the race. Her team won the Olympic title! They won after the leading German team accidentally dropped their baton.
Meeting Adolf Hitler
After her races, Helen Stephens had a memorable meeting with Adolf Hitler. She told an Olympic historian about it. Helen said that Hitler gave her a Nazi salute. She responded with a friendly, "good, old-fashioned Missouri handshake." Hitler then told her she was a "true Aryan type" and suggested she should run for Germany. Helen Stephens politely refused his offer.
Life After the Olympics
Helen Stephens stopped competing in track and field soon after the 1936 Olympics. But she didn't stop being an athlete! She went on to play professional baseball and softball.
She also continued her education. She attended William Woods University, Fulton High School, and Middle River School in Fulton. From 1938 to 1952, Helen showed her leadership skills. She owned and managed her own semi-professional basketball team. She was the first woman to do this!
Later in her life, Helen worked for many years in the Research Division of the U.S. Aeronautical Chart and Information Service. This agency is now part of the Defense Mapping Agency. She worked in St. Louis, Missouri.
In 1993, Helen Stephens was honored for her amazing achievements. She was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame. She passed away in Saint Louis at the age of 75.
Gender Check at the Olympics
During the 1936 Olympics, some people wondered about the gender of both Helen Stephens and Stanisława Walasiewicz. The Olympic Committee performed a physical check on Helen Stephens. After this check, they officially confirmed that she was a woman.
See also
In Spanish: Helen Stephens para niños
