Vonetta Flowers facts for kids
Vonetta Flowers
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Quick facts for kids Personal information |
||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nationality | American | |||||||||||||||||||
| Born | October 29, 1973 Birmingham, Alabama |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Residence | Helena, Alabama | |||||||||||||||||||
| Alma mater | University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Spouse(s) | Johnny Flowers | |||||||||||||||||||
|
Medal record
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Vonetta Flowers (born October 29, 1973) is a famous American bobsledder. She made history at the 2002 Winter Olympics. Flowers became the first African American person to win a gold medal at any Winter Olympics. This was a big moment for sports!
Becoming an Olympian
Vonetta Flowers was a talented athlete from a young age. She was a star sprinter and long jumper. She competed for the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Her dream was to compete in the Summer Olympics.
After trying several times, she decided to try a new sport. She switched to bobsledding. She quickly became very good as a brakewoman. This role is important for helping the bobsled go fast and stay steady.
Olympic Gold Medal
In 2002, Vonetta Flowers went to the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. She teamed up with driver Jill Bakken. Together, they won the gold medal in the two-woman bobsled event.
This victory was historic. Vonetta Flowers became the first African American woman to win a gold medal at the Winter Olympics. It was a proud moment for her and for her country.
After the Olympics
After winning gold, Flowers took a break. She gave birth to twins. In 2003, she returned to bobsledding. She competed with a new driver, Jean Prahm.
Flowers and Prahm competed in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin. They finished in sixth place. Flowers also won a bronze medal in 2004. This was at the FIBT World Championships in Königssee.
Vonetta Flowers retired from bobsledding after the 2006 Winter Olympics.
Later Life and Recognition
In December 2010, Vonetta Flowers was honored. She was chosen for the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. She officially joined the Hall of Fame in May 2011.
Since retiring in 2006, Flowers has lived in Jacksonville, Florida. She lives there with her husband, Johnny, and her three sons.
