Born: 1973 (Birmingham, Alabama)
Biography:
Vonetta Flowers (née Jeffery) was born on October 29, 1973, in Birmingham, Alabama. She is an American bobsledder who made history in the 2002 Winter Olympics as the first African American and the first Black athlete from any country to win a gold medal at a Winter Olympics.
Flowers had a successful athletic career before turning to bobsledding. She was a star sprinter and long jumper at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and had aspirations of making the U.S. Summer Olympics. However, after several failed attempts, Flowers decided to try her hand at bobsledding.
Her transition to bobsledding was met with immediate success. Flowers found her calling as a brakewoman and quickly made a name for herself in the sport. Her determination and athleticism paid off at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.
Teamed up with driver Jill Bakken, Flowers made history by winning the gold medal in the two-woman event. She became the first African American woman to win a gold medal in the Winter Olympics, breaking down barriers and inspiring athletes of all backgrounds.
After the Salt Lake City Games, Flowers took some time off from the sport to give birth to twins. In 2003, she made her comeback, this time partnering with new driver Jean Prahm. The duo competed in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, where they finished in sixth place.
Flowers also had success at the 2004 FIBT World Championships in Königssee, winning the bronze medal in the two-woman event. Her achievements and contributions to the sport of bobsledding solidified her place in history as a trailblazer.
In December 2010, Flowers received well-deserved recognition when she was elected to the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. She was officially inducted as a member of the Class of 2011 in May of that year.
Since retiring from competition after the 2006 Winter Olympics, Flowers has been living in Jacksonville, Florida with her husband, Johnny, and their three sons. She continues to be an inspiration to athletes around the world with her remarkable achievements and groundbreaking success.
Awards:
– Gold Medal, 2002 Winter Olympics (Two-woman event)
– Bronze Medal, 2004 FIBT World Championships (Two-woman event)
– Inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, Class of 2011