Wanda dos Santos (1 June 1932 – 30 June 2025) was a Brazilian female hurdler who competed at two Summer Olympics, in 1952 and 1960. She won a total number of four individual medals at the Pan American Games during her career.
Biography In addition to promoting social and sporting events for seniors, she also taught in elementary school for children of College St. Helena in the village of Gumercindo.
Dos Santos had to overcome two major barriers, in addition to the sportsbook. As a black woman she suffered several prejudices, especially in the Summer Olympics in 1952 where the other contestants, even the cordial ones, refused to stay close to or touching the Brazilian athlete.
Dos Santos was hospitalized in São Paulo on 25 June 2025 for complications from dialysis, and on 30 June, after having developed a blood infection and severe dehydration, she died at the age of 93.
International competitions Representing 1947South American ChampionshipsRio de Janeiro, Brazil2nd80 m hurdles12.12ndLong jump5.16 m1949South American ChampionshipsLima, Peru1st80 m hurdles11.71stLong jump5.53 m1951Pan American GamesBuenos Aires, Argentina4th80 m hurdles12.24th4 × 100 m relay50.53rdLong jump5.18 m1952South American ChampionshipsBuenos Aires, Argentina1st80 m hurdles11.73rdLong jump5.26 mOlympic GamesHelsinki, Finland10th (sf)80 m hurdles11.421stLong jump5.36 m1953South American Championships (unofficial)Santiago, Chile1st80 m hurdles11.74thLong jump5.41 m1954South American ChampionshipsSão Paulo, Brazil1st80 m hurdles11.43rdLong jump5.42 m1955Pan American GamesMexico City, Mexico11th (h)60 m8.063rd80 m hurdles11.81956South American ChampionshipsSantiago, Chile8th (h)100 m13.01st80 m hurdles11.55thLong jump5.25 m1958South American ChampionshipsMontevideo, Uruguay6th100 m12.91st80 m hurdles11.51st4 × 100 m relay48.72ndLong jump5.48 m1959Pan American GamesChicago, United States8th (sf)60 mNT2nd80 m hurdles11.54th4 × 100 m relay51.81960Olympic GamesRome, Italy22nd (h)80 m hurdles11.84Ibero-American GamesSantiago, Chile1st80 m hurdles11.54th4 × 100 m relay49.64thHigh jump1.45 m1961South American ChampionshipsLima, Peru1st80 m hurdles11.51st4 × 100 m relay48.91stLong jump5.38 m1962Ibero-American GamesMadrid, Spain1st80 m hurdles11.53rd4 × 100 m relay49.41963Pan American GamesSão Paulo, Brazil12th (h)100 m16.13rd80 m hurdles11.501965South American ChampionshipsRio de Janeiro, Brazil2nd (h)80 m hurdles11.615thLong jump5.15 m1967South American ChampionshipsBuenos Aires, Argentina –80 m hurdlesDNF 1Disqualified in the final
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