ESPN (Page 2) A Forgotten Pioneer
Jamele Hill
There's been a tribute missing at this year's Wimbledon.
We know all about these sports pioneers and barrier breakers: Jackie Robinson, Arthur Ashe, Tiger Woods.
But one name doesn't come up nearly enough. And if there ever was a year for us to remember her, it's this year. So remember her along with me …
Althea Gibson.
Today marks the 50th anniversary of Gibson's historic singles win at the All-England Club, when she became the first black to bring home tennis' most prestigious title.
But this week, of all weeks, and today of all days, why is the Wimbledon brass not honoring Gibson? A perfect storm appears to be gathering. Venus Williams remains strongly in the mix to win her fourth Wimbledon. This is the first year the men's and women's champions will earn equal prize money.
Know how much money Gibson earned for winning Wimbledon in 1957? Zilch. Know what Venus will bank if she wins win? $1.4 million. Now that's progress.
Read More by clicking or pasting on link -
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=hill/070706
Jamele Hill
There's been a tribute missing at this year's Wimbledon.
We know all about these sports pioneers and barrier breakers: Jackie Robinson, Arthur Ashe, Tiger Woods.
But one name doesn't come up nearly enough. And if there ever was a year for us to remember her, it's this year. So remember her along with me …
Althea Gibson.
Today marks the 50th anniversary of Gibson's historic singles win at the All-England Club, when she became the first black to bring home tennis' most prestigious title.
But this week, of all weeks, and today of all days, why is the Wimbledon brass not honoring Gibson? A perfect storm appears to be gathering. Venus Williams remains strongly in the mix to win her fourth Wimbledon. This is the first year the men's and women's champions will earn equal prize money.
Know how much money Gibson earned for winning Wimbledon in 1957? Zilch. Know what Venus will bank if she wins win? $1.4 million. Now that's progress.
Read More by clicking or pasting on link -
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=hill/070706
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