Wilma Rudolph - Athlete

Marlys Henke developed the following multicultural activity for her mathematics class:

"TRACK: Wilma Rudolph

Background Information: Ms. Wilma Rudolph started her outstanding athletic career in the 1960 Olympics. She ran faster than any woman ever had before: 11 seconds in the 100-meter event. She won three gold medals and became the second black recipient of the Associated Annual Woman Athlete of the Year Award.

Ms. Rudolph was the NAAU 100-meter champion in 1959-1961. She won the Pan American Games 100-meter event in 1959. She is presently traveling and speaking on promoting support for athletics and education. One of 19 children, she overcame polio and poverty to achieve her goals. Her autobiography was made into a television movie in 1978. She has four children and is presently working on a master's degree in business administration as well as her third book.

Problem: There are many ways of being involved in track events besides running. Someone has to plan the construction of the track and plan where the lanes and starting lines will be.

Below is a drawing of exactly half an Olympic running track. The finish line is marked, and the center of the circle used to construct the curve is marked. There are six running lanes, each 2 meters wide. Accurately mark in the lines separating the lanes. Then mark in the starting line for each lane in the 400-meter race."