Smithsonian Institution
National Postal Museum: Art of the Stamp: Jesse Owens
View the artwork for a U.S. postage stamp issued in 1998 to commemorate Jesse Owens, who won four Olympic gold medals in track and field. With a short biographical passage.
My Hero Project
My Hero: Mildred "Babe" Didrikson
This article overviews Didrikson's athletic career, in which she won Olympic medals and golf trophies. Use this article to learn about why she is considered heroic and check out the related links.
Stephen Byrne
History for Kids: Jim Thorpe
History for Kids presents an overview of the life story of Jim Thorpe, a Native American from Oklahoma who was a superb athlete competing in the 1912 Stockholm Olympics before moving on to play professional baseball and football.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Sugar Ray Leonard
Brief biographical overview of the life and career of Olympic gold medalist Sugar Ray Leonard.
Alabama Humanities Foundation
Encyclopedia of Alabama: Carl Lewis
Carl Lewis is featured in this brief biography highlighting his career and achievements as a gold medal winning track and field athlete.
Other
Biography Shelf: Short Biography of Jesse Owens
An inspiring look at the life of Jesse Owens, whose determination and focus helped him earn four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
Danuta Bois
Distinguished Women of Past and Present: Dorothy Hamill
This is a very brief article overviewing the athletic career of Dorothy Stuart Hamill, an American figure skater who won the gold medal at the 1976 Winter Olympics.
Other
Baa: Boston Marathon History
The Boston Marathon has a long history. Find out about its inception, the several routes it's taken over the years, when women were allowed to race, and its connection with Olympic racers. Click on BAA Programs to find a regimen for...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Wyomia Tyus
Entry provides a summary of the life of Wyomia Tyus, an American sprinter who held the world record for the 100-metre race (1964-65, 1968-72) and was the first person to win the Olympic gold medal twice in that event.
University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge: Maths and Sports: Making a Racket: The Science of Tennis
As London is heading for the 2012 Olympics, it's not just athletes who are gearing up for action. Engineers, too, are working hard to produce the cutting-edge sporting equipment that guarantees record performances. If you're a tennis...
University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge: Maths and Sports: Who's the Best?
Can you use data from the 2008 Beijing Olympics medal tables to decide which country has the most naturally athletic population? This data-handling activity encourages mathematical investigation and discussion and is designed to be...
University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge: Maths and Sports: Alternative Record Books
Take a look at the amazing limits that athletes push themselves to in search of Olympic glory. Which events see the fastest speeds, furthest distances and highest forces? This activity challenges students to undertake some research,...
University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge: Maths and Sports: Now and Then
Look at the changes in results on some of the athletics track events at the Olympic Games in 1908 and 1948. What will the results be in 2012? This slightly more challenging activity encourages children to examine data and consider...
Council for Economic Education
Econ Ed Link: Specialization and the Decathlon
This lesson uses results from the 2008 Summer Olympic Games to explain that athletes specialize in sports and events for which they are most skilled for the same reasons that individuals and nations specialize in the production of goods...
Black Past
Black Past: Leonard, "Sugar" Ray
This brief encyclopedia article tells about the boxing career of Sugar Ray Leonard.
National Women's Hall of Fame
National Women's Hall of Fame: Billie Jean King
The National Women's Hall of Fame gives a tribute to Billy Jean King and her great accomplishments as a tennis player and as a pioneer for women in sports.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Luge
This article on the luge is organized into the following sections: "History," "Rules," "Artificial tracks," "Natural tracks," "Events," "Governing body," and "Champions." Includes several links to sources on luge teams from various...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Barney Ewell
This entry features Barney Ewell, an American athlete, one of the world's leading sprinters of the 1940s. Although he was believed to be past his prime when the Olympic Games were resumed after World War II, he won three medals at the...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Marion Jones
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Marion Jones, an American athlete, who, at the 2000 Olympic Games, became the first woman to win five track-and-field medals at a single Olympics. In 2007, however, she admitted to using...
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Eddie Tolan
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Eddie Tolan, an American sprinter and the first black athlete to win two Olympic gold medals. In his track career, Tolan won 300 races, losing only 7.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Gail Devers
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Gail Devers, an American track athlete who overcame physical adversity to win Olympic gold medals in 1992 and 1996.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Rafer Johnson
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Rafer Johnson, an American athlete, who won a gold medal in the decathlon at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Shani Davis
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Shani Davis, an American speed skater, who was the first black athlete to win an individual Winter Olympics gold medal.