10. DYNAMIC ENERGY – The Dynamic Energy of Babe Didrikson
Even more impressive, as a one-woman team, Babe took first place, scoring more points than every other club. The crowd loved her dynamic energy and stamina, her opponents admired and learned from her give-it-all-you’ve-got determination, and the press couldn’t praise her enough. One reporter called it “the most amazing series of performances ever accomplished by any individ- ual, male or female, in track and field history.” Babe was now headed to the Olympics to compete against the world’s best in the hurdles, high jump, and javelin throw. She could have competed in more events, but at the time, women could only participate in three. Her goal: win three Olympic gold medals.
Being the fastest and strongest was nothing new to Babe. As a child, she took on boys and girls and bested them in every challenge, whether it was marbles, baseball, or jumping over hedges. When she was thirteen, she convinced her parents to let her and her sister join a traveling circus for a few months. In no time, Babe learned how to walk a tightrope, do flips on a tra- peze, and stand on her head on an elephant’s back.
134
Made with FlippingBook Annual report maker