It was while in elementary school in Cleveland, Ohio that Madeline Manning-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.
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 4×400 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. She was inducted to the National and Olympic Halls of Fame in 1984.
At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Mims was honored as an Olympic Legend in the stadium. Mims is founder and president of the United States Council for Sports Chaplaincy and served as chaplain at the 1988 Seoul, 1992 Barcelona, 1996 Atlanta, 2000 Sydney and the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.
Mims is an author, international speaker and contemporary Gospel recording artist. She is also one of three chaplains for the Tulsa Shock professional women’s basketball team. She and her family have a ministry through Sports and the Arts known as AMBASSADORSHIP, INC. where they reside in Tulsa, Oklahoma.