Madeline Manning Mims

Madeline Manning Mims (b.January 11, 1948) was the first American woman to win the 800 meters at the Olympics, which she accomplished in Mexico City in 1968. In college, she was a member of the celebrated Tennessee State Tigerbelles. Manning’s career spanned from 1967-1981 and included 10 national titles. She represented the United States in three Olympic Games, 1968, 1972, and 1976; and helped win the silver medal in the 4 x 400 relay in 1972. Had the United States not boycotted the 1980 Olympics, she probably would have made a fourth Olympic team. Madeline Manning Mims remained involved in the culture of running at the Olympic level by earning a Ph.D. in sports chaplaincy and serving and helping to organizing chaplaincy efforts at every Olympics since 1984. She published, Chaplaincy in the History of the Olympics: U.S. Sport Chaplaincy at the Olympic Level, in 2018. Linda Jacobs Altman wrote a biography of Manning in 1976, entitled, Madeline Manning Jackson: Running on Faith.