Madeline Manning-Mims made waves as a standout Track and Field athlete at Tennessee State University and at the three Summer Olympic games. However, her post Olympic career as a sports chaplain has combined her love of God and sports while empowering athletes on their walks of faith. Manning-Mims was born January 11, 1948 and raised in Cleveland, Ohio.
While at Tennessee State, Manning-Mims competed in the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City. She won a gold medal in the 800 meters, the only American woman to do so. Until 2008, she was also the youngest to win the event.
Between 1967 and 1981, Manning-Mims won 10 national titles and set several American records. Mannning-Mims was inducted in the National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1984. She didn’t sit idle after her athletic career, founding the United States Council for Sports Chaplaincy. Manning-Mims has also served as the U.S. Track Team Chaplain for seven Olympic games.
Along with her own organization and duties as an Olympic chaplain, she also worked as a chaplain for the WNBA’s Tulsa Shock team. Manning-Mims earned a Masters in Divinity from Oral Roberts College and according to a bio, is said to be working on receiving her doctorate. Manning-Mims is also a motivational speaker and gospel recording artist.
She was inducted into the Oklahoma Jazz Hall Of Fame in 2005.
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