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It was
while in elementary school in Cleveland, Ohio that Mims became
interested in sports. She began running track but did not
show a promise of greatness until she was a junior in high
school. She was spotted by a Hungarian coach who began working
with her. The following year, Mims made the national team
for women's track and field, representing the United States
in Russia, Poland and West Germany.
After
graduation, she enrolled at Tennessee State University on
a track scholarship. She won championship after championship
as a Tigerbelle.
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Mims 16-year
international track and field career included being a member
of four U.S. Olympic Teams in 1968,1972,1976 and 1980. She
was a member of several National Teams, the first in 1965
and the last in 1981. At the 1968 Mexico Olympic Games, Mims
became the first American woman to ever win the Gold medal
in the 800 meters. She was a pioneer in the event and with
that victory set an American record (which she held for 15
years), an Olympic record and a World record In the 1972 Games
in Munich Germany, Mims won a Silver medal as a member of
the 4x400 meter relay team.
Mims won
a Gold medal at the 1967 Pan American Games in Canada. She
was the first American woman to break a time of 2 minutes
in the 800 meter run. In 1967, 1968 and 1969, Mims was ranked
#1 in the world by Track and Field News. She was the National
Outdoor Champion eight times and the National Indoor Champion
six times. Mims was a four-time Olympic Trial Champion and
the Olympic Team Women's Track Captain in 1972, 1976 and 1980.
Among
her many honors and awards, Mims was named North American
Athlete of the Year in 1967 and 1969 and was named to the
All-Time, All-Star, Indoor Track and Field Team in 1982.
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