Tracy Mattes
Encyclopedia
Tracy Mattes is a retired American
track and field
athlete and Humanitarian Activist.
In 2009 Tracy was inducted into the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame, joining an elite fraternity of past inductees such as Tennis great Arthur Ashe
, Olympian Jesse Owens
, Gymnast Mary Lou Retton
, Major League Baseball pioneer Jackie Robinson
, soccer great Pelé
and the Harlem Globetrotters
. Chaired by George H.W. Bush, 41st President of the United States, the Hall of Fame recognizes individuals from amateur and professional sports who distinguish themselves with their humanitarian efforts.
Tracy specialized in the 400 meter hurdles and also competed in the Modern Pentathlon
for a short period of time. She is currently a UN Special Representative focusing on building small libraries in Africa, and Director of Global Programs for the World Olympians Association
.
People of the United States
The people of the United States, also known as simply Americans or American people, are the inhabitants or citizens of the United States. The United States is a multi-ethnic nation, home to people of different ethnic and national backgrounds...
track and field
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
athlete and Humanitarian Activist.
In 2009 Tracy was inducted into the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame, joining an elite fraternity of past inductees such as Tennis great Arthur Ashe
Arthur Ashe
Arthur Robert Ashe, Jr. was a professional tennis player, born and raised in Richmond, Virginia. During his career, he won three Grand Slam titles, putting him among the best ever from the United States...
, Olympian Jesse Owens
Jesse Owens
James Cleveland "Jesse" Owens was an American track and field athlete who specialized in the sprints and the long jump. He participated in the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany, where he achieved international fame by winning four gold medals: one each in the 100 meters, the 200 meters, the...
, Gymnast Mary Lou Retton
Mary Lou Retton
Mary Lou Retton is an American gymnast and Olympic gold medalist. She was the first female gymnast from outside Eastern Europe to win the Olympic all-around title, after 14 Eastern Bloc countries boycotted the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.-Personal life:Retton was born in Fairmont, West...
, Major League Baseball pioneer Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson
Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson was the first black Major League Baseball player of the modern era. Robinson broke the baseball color line when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947...
, soccer great Pelé
Pelé
However, Pelé has always maintained that those are mistakes, that he was actually named Edson and that he was born on 23 October 1940.), best known by his nickname Pelé , is a retired Brazilian footballer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time...
and the Harlem Globetrotters
Harlem Globetrotters
The Harlem Globetrotters are an exhibition basketball team that combines athleticism, theater and comedy. The executive offices for the team are currently in downtown Phoenix, Arizona; the team is owned by Shamrock Holdings, which oversees the various investments of the Roy E. Disney family.Over...
. Chaired by George H.W. Bush, 41st President of the United States, the Hall of Fame recognizes individuals from amateur and professional sports who distinguish themselves with their humanitarian efforts.
Tracy specialized in the 400 meter hurdles and also competed in the Modern Pentathlon
Modern pentathlon
The modern pentathlon is a sports contest that includes five events: pistol shooting, épée fencing, 200 m freestyle swimming, show jumping, and a 3 km cross-country run...
for a short period of time. She is currently a UN Special Representative focusing on building small libraries in Africa, and Director of Global Programs for the World Olympians Association
World Olympians Association
The World Olympians Association is an association of former olympic athletes from all over the world, to promote the dissemination of Olympic ideals, fair play, advance environmental protection, educate against doping – drug use, supply educational resources, work against violence and intolerance,...
.