Wilma Rudolph was an American track and field athlete who, after overcoming physical disabilities, went on to become one of the greatest athletes of her time. Her inspiring story and determination to succeed have made her an inspirational figure to many. Her quotes are still widely quoted today, reminding us of the power of perseverance and self-belief. She once famously said, “Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion: The potential for greatness lives within each of us.” Her words are often used to encourage us to reach for our goals and never give up, no matter what the odds.
48 Best Wilma Rudolph Quotes
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“I believe in myself, and I believe that I can accomplish anything that I put my mind to.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“If you have the desire, you can fly.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“Winning is great, sure, but if you are really going to do something in life, the secret is learning how to lose. Nobody goes undefeated all the time. If you can pick up after a crushing defeat, and go on to win again, you are going to be a champion someday.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“My doctors told me I would never walk again. My mother told me I would. I believed my mother.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“My disability doesn’t define me.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“It’s not the situation, but whether we react negative or respond positive to the situation that is important.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“The triumph can’t be had without the struggle.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion: The potential for greatness lives within each of us.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“I think faith is important because it gives you hope. Hope that things will get better.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“My courage did not come from any particular source. I just had a strong belief in myself and the determination to succeed.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“No matter what accomplishment you make, somebody helps you.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“I believe in prayer. It’s the best way we have to draw strength from heaven.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“I worked hard and I never gave up. I just kept striving, believing in myself and in the power of my dreams.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“If you want to be successful, it’s just this simple. Know what you are doing. Love what you are doing. And believe in what you are doing.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“I had to believe in myself or no one else would believe in me.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses – behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“I believe everyone should have a dream and a goal, and that’s what I always had.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“I don’t know anyone who has got to the top without hard work. That is the recipe. It will not always get you to the top, but should get you pretty near.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“I had to go to school, and I did not always like it, but I had to do it.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“I ran and ran and ran every day, and I acquired this sense of determination, this sense of spirit that I would never, never give up, no matter what else happened.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“Never limit yourself. You can be whatever you want to be.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“It’s not the disability that defines you; it’s how you deal with the challenges the disability presents you with that will define you.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“Life is a challenge – and I love it.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“I think people should set goals that are not just based on their career ambitions but that are based on what they want to be in their life.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“If you have the will to win, you have achieved half your success; if you don’t, you have achieved half your failure.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“If you want something bad enough, you’re going to have to work for it.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“I’m a firm believer in the power of dreams and the power of individuals to overcome incredible odds.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“When you have a disability, sometimes you have to make a few adjustments, but you can do whatever you want to do.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“If you can believe it, the mind can achieve it.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“My life is a testimony to what faith, confidence and determination can do.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“I was determined to be somebody, if I could. I was driven by a fear of being poor and living that kind of life for the rest of my days.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“Dreams do come true, if we only wish hard enough, you can have anything in life if you will sacrifice everything else for it.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“I know what it’s like to face obstacles and to have people look down on me. I overcame them by believing in myself and my dreams.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“It doesn’t matter what you’re trying to accomplish. It’s all a matter of discipline. I was determined to discover what life held for me beyond the inner-city streets.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“I really think a champion is defined not by their wins but by how they can recover when they fall.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“If you have the power of belief in yourself, anything is possible.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“I want people to understand that disabilities, whether they are physical or mental, need not be a barrier to success.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“I wanted to prove to the world that I was not a cripple, that I could do the things that anybody else could do.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“My father was my idol. My father was my hero. He was my mentor. He was my biggest fan.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“When I was in school, I knew that I wanted to do something special, and that I was capable of doing something special.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“I believe in hard work and dedication, and never giving up.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“If you want something, go out and work hard for it. Don’t sit around and wait for it to come to you.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“You can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“I believe that God blessed me with certain talents and I believe that it is my duty to use those talents to the best of my ability.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“I do not run for the sake of winning, but for the sake of self-expression.”
– Wilma Rudolph
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“Never stop striving to reach for the stars.”
– Wilma Rudolph
Conclusion
Wilma Rudolph was an inspiring figure in the world of athletics and her inspirational quotes continue to be a source of motivation for many. Her ability to overcome her own physical disabilities and go on to become an Olympic champion is an inspiring example of what can be achieved when one puts their mind to it. Despite the obstacles she faced, Wilma Rudolph was determined to follow her dreams and she never let anything stop her from achieving her goals. Her words of wisdom still offer us a great deal of insight and inspiration today.
