Which track and field star overcame childhood polio to become one of the greatest female athletes of her time?

Introduction / Context:
Stories of athletes overcoming serious health challenges are inspiring and frequently appear in general knowledge questions. One of the most famous examples is an American sprinter who suffered from childhood polio yet went on to become an Olympic champion and a symbol of determination. This question asks you to identify that athlete from a list of well known sports figures.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The athlete is a track and field star, specifically known for sprinting.
• She had childhood polio but later became one of the greatest athletes of her time.
• Options include Wilma Rudolph, Gail Devers, Florence Griffith Joyner, Jackie Robinson, and Jackie Joyner Kersee.
• We assume standard Olympic and athletics history.

Concept / Approach:
Wilma Rudolph, an American sprinter, is famous for overcoming childhood polio and other illnesses. Doctors once doubted that she would walk normally, yet she went on to win three gold medals in sprint events at the 1960 Rome Olympics. Her story is widely cited as a motivational example. Other names listed are also great athletes, but their early life medical histories differ, making Wilma Rudolph the correct answer here.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Focus on the key clues: childhood polio, track and field, and later Olympic success.Step 2: Recall that Wilma Rudolph had polio and wore braces on her leg as a child.Step 3: Remember that she became an Olympic champion sprinter in the 1960 Games.Step 4: Compare this information with the list of options.Step 5: Choose Wilma Rudolph as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, think of biographies and motivational speeches that highlight Wilma Rudolph's journey from a sick child to an Olympic star. She is often introduced as the girl who had polio, scarlet fever, and double pneumonia, yet went on to become the “fastest woman in the world.” This repeated storytelling in books and documentaries confirms that she is the athlete described in the question.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Gail Devers is known for overcoming Graves disease and thyroid problems, not polio. Florence Griffith Joyner, often called Flo Jo, was an extremely fast sprinter but did not have the same childhood polio story. Jackie Robinson is famous as a baseball player who broke the colour barrier in Major League Baseball, not a track star. Jackie Joyner Kersee is a legendary heptathlete and long jumper but is not associated with childhood polio. Therefore, these options do not match the specific biographical detail given.

Common Pitfalls:
Because several of the listed names are famous women in athletics, candidates may confuse their life stories. Another pitfall is to focus only on “great athlete” and ignore the crucial clue about childhood polio. Carefully linking the health condition with the correct biography is essential for answering this question accurately.

Final Answer:
The track and field star who overcame childhood polio to become one of the greatest athletes of her era is Wilma Rudolph.