Alma Richards
(1890-1963)
track and field (USA)
gold 1912 Stockholm

But before his final jump, he walked to a spot on the infield grass, and in full view of the stadium crowd of 24,000, he took off his hat, kneeled on the ground, and said this prayer: “God, give me strength. And if it’s right that I should win, give me the strength to do my best to set a good example all the days of my life.” As soon as he said “Amen,” he put his “lucky” hat back on, walked to the end of the runway, and, without hesitation, raced for the bar. He cleared it at six feet, four inches and set a new world record.http://magazine.byu.edu/?act=view&a=476