Running on Ice

Book excerpt: On February 18, 2002, Vonetta Flowers made Olympic history, becoming the first African-American to win a gold medal in the Winter Olympics. Her fellow Olympians chose her to carry the U.S.A. flag in the closing ceremonies. But this historic feat took the faith of a conqueror. though trained as a track and field athlete since the age of 9, Vonetta did not make the cut for the summer olympic track team. Her coach and husband, Johnny, later saw an ad for bobsled competitors and convinced Vonetta to go for this previously unconsidered sport. She made it. Her lifetime of track training placed her in the anchor position on the 2-woman bobsled team, and the rest is literally history. Vonettas story is one of intense faith in God, whom she freely credits for her victories.