Terrence House: The story of trailblazer Tidye Pickett

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In Episode 19 of the Running Tales podcast, in collaboration with Run Tri Bike, Craig Lewis interviewed Dr Terrence House, author of a new book about trailblazing black athlete Tidye Pickett.

When Dr Terrence House was at school, he was shocked to find his principal had an unusual - and inspiring - past.

Known to the children at Medgar Evers Elementary in Illinois as 'Mrs Phillips the Principal', she had previously been heralded by the American people, and across the world, as Tidye A. Pickett.

Under her maiden name, she had become one of the first African American women to compete in track and field at the Olympic Games.

Tidye and Louise Stokes appeared at the 1936 Games in Berlin, their trailblazing moment taking place under the watchful, and jealous, eyes of German Führer, Adolf Hitler.

But the hate and racism suffered by Pickett and Stokes had started long before they were subjected to Hitler's gaze. The pair had previously suffered hazing at the hands of white teammates and had to overcome systemic barriers to reach their Olympic goal.

In 1932, despite having qualified to compete in that year's games, they weren't selected for the US team - with two slower, white athletes taking their place.

That was Tidye A. Pickett's 'Olympic omission' and it is the subject of Terrence House's biography of his former teacher.

Now a decorated US Army veteran, Terrence uses the story to shine a spotlight on one of America's unsung heroes. He unpacks Tidye Pickett's journey from growing up in the bustling surrounds of Englewood in Chicago to sprint star.

Terrence's book, 'The Olympic Omission: The Story of Tidye Pickett' not only resurrects a forgotten pioneer but also challenges readers to reflect on the broader implications of resilience, equity, and representation.