After an injury, John Register became a two-sport Paralympian
After having his left leg amputated following a devastating injury in practice, John Register became a Paralympic swimmer, sprinter and long jumper.
U.S. Olympic and Paralympic history is full of Black athletes, heroes, pioneers, and trailblazers. Without these stories, the history of Team USA is incomplete.
There were many sacrifices and difficult choices that Black athletes faced. Despite these obstacles, black athletes keep pushing the boundaries, surpassing expectations, and inspiring the world with perseverance.
From George Poage, the first Black American to win an Olympic medal, to Leroy Walker, the first black American to coach a U.S. Olympic team, here is a closer look at some of these stories featured in the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum.
After having his left leg amputated following a devastating injury in practice, John Register became a Paralympic swimmer, sprinter and long jumper.
With a prosthetic left leg, April Holmes competed in four Paralympic Games, winning one gold medal and two bronze.
The first Black American archer to compete at the Paralympic Games, he was seeded 12th in the compound open tournament at Rio 2016 but captured the gold medal.
The first Black basketball player at Manhattan College, Kellogg famously exposed a point-shaving scandal. He later became a wheelchair basketball coach.
A trailblazer in her sport, Ashleigh Johnson helped Team USA win the gold medal at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Vonetta Flowers paired with Jill Bakken to win the gold medal in bobsledding at Salt Lake 2002 – the first Olympic Winter gold medal ever won by a Black athlete.
At the Innsbruck 1984 Paralympic Winter Games, Bonnie St. John became the first Black American to medal in the Olympic or Paralympic Winter Games.
Although not the prototypical sprinter, Eddie Tolan almost always finished where sprinters wanted to be: first.
A four-time Olympian and two-time gold medalist, Edwin Moses has always shared his knowledge and experience to help fellow athletes and the next generation of athletes.
George Poage, the standout runner from Wisconsin won two bronze medals at the St. Louis 1904 Games, becoming the first Black American to win an Olympic medal.
Fencing provided an opportunity to compete in sports and adhere to the tenets of her religion.
Once ostracized for having the courage to stand for his beliefs, half a century later track star John Carlos has embraced his role as a survivor.
LeRoy Walker was the first Black American to coach a U.S. Olympic Team, guiding the men’s track and field team to six gold medals in the Montreal 1976 Olympics.
Months after graduating from college with a degree in industrial engineering, Mosley became the first Black woman to win the gold in the 100 meters.
Simone Manuel won two gold medals and two silver medals at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
One of the great shooters of her generation, Teresa Edwards played in five Olympic Games and led the U.S. women’s basketball team to four gold medals.
Tommie Smith is most remembered for his protest atop the Medal Podium, but his world-record speed is not to be overlooked.
Rafer Johnson, 1960 decathlon champion, also lit the Olympic Cauldron at Los Angeles 1984 and excelled in and out of athletics.
Despite being told she would never walk again, Wilma Rudolph won three track and field gold medals at the Rome 1960 Olympic Games.
U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum offers parking in the adjacent Park Union District lot for $7.50 per-day. Metered parking is also available on Sierra Madre and Vermijo.
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Olympic Marks are used under license from the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee. 36 U.S.C. 220506
Website development supported in part by a grant from the Colorado Tourism Office.
