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 heroes, pioneers and trailblazers. Without their stories, the story of Team USA is incomplete. Here is a closer look at some of the Black athletes and coaches and their stories that are 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.
The track and field standout, Vonetta Flowers, originally attended a bobsled tryout in support of her husband but wound up an Olympic champion at Salt Lake 2002.
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.
After winning two bronze medals at St. Louis 1904, George Poage retreated from the spotlight and had what appears to be a relatively uneventful life.
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, she became the first Black woman to win the good 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.
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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.
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