At the onset of the 21st century, a young and vibrant Vonetta Flowers slid into history by becoming the first person of African descent to win a Gold Medal in the Winter Olympics. In the 2002 Salt Lake City Games, Flowers and her teammate Jill Bakken finished first in the inaugural Women’s Olympic bobsled event, with 1 minute 48 seconds time.
Born and raised in Birmingham, Al., Flowers was a tri-athlete in high school, playing volleyball, basketball, and running track. On the track, she shattered records and won numerous titles and awards, earning a scholarship to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).
Flowers won 35 Conference Championship awards at UAB, as well as conference titles in the 100 meters, 200 meters, long jump and triple jump.
As a prolific runner and sprinter, Flowers qualified for the Olympic Trials in 1996 and 2000. However, she did not make the team either year.
Just when Flowers thought it was over, her husband Johnny came across a flyer encouraging track and field athletes to tryout for the USA Bobsled team. The couple decided to accompany one another in the tryout, but Johnny—a former track and field athlete, too—injured himself and was unable to finish the competition.
Vonetta kept the faith and mastered the 6-event bobsled test, some of which included sprinting, jumping and throwing a shot. At 26 years old, Flowers soon found herself dominating a brand new sport.
February 19, 2002 will forever be a historic day in black sports history. Since becoming an Olympian, Flowers has been inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, as well as coached track and field at her alma mater UAB.
Her story is truly iconic.
The Watter Girl 