Vonetta Flowers
Vonetta Flowers became the first African-American women and first athlete of African descent from any country, male or female, to win a medal at the Winter Olympics. Along with partner Jill Bakken, Flowers won a gold medal in the two-women bobsled competition at the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City. In honor of her accomplishment, Flowers (and Bakken) were selected to carry the American flag in the closing ceremonies. She also competed at the 2006 Winter Games in Turin, Italy and finished sixth. In addition to her Olympic gold, Flowers claimed bronze at the 2004 World Championships.
Flowers was born in Birmingham, Alabama and was a seven-time track and field All-American while competing at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. After unsuccessfully attempting to make the Summer Olympics, she saw a flier at the 2000 Olympic Trials regarding a tryout for the U.S. bobsled team. Flowers took the challenge at the age of 26 and, as they say, the rest is history. As part of her historic feat, Flowers also became the first person from the state of Alabama to win a medal at the Winter Olympics. She was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.
Vonetta Flowers became the first African-American women and first athlete of African descent from any country, male or female, to win a medal at the Winter Olympics. Along with partner Jill Bakken, Flowers won a gold medal in the two-women bobsled competition at the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City. In honor of her accomplishment, Flowers (and Bakken) were selected to carry the American flag in the closing ceremonies. She also competed at the 2006 Winter Games in Turin, Italy and finished sixth. In addition to her Olympic gold, Flowers claimed bronze at the 2004 World Championships.
Flowers was born in Birmingham, Alabama and was a seven-time track and field All-American while competing at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. After unsuccessfully attempting to make the Summer Olympics, she saw a flier at the 2000 Olympic Trials regarding a tryout for the U.S. bobsled team. Flowers took the challenge at the age of 26 and, as they say, the rest is history. As part of her historic feat, Flowers also became the first person from the state of Alabama to win a medal at the Winter Olympics. She was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.
