Wanda dos Santos

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 1Disqualified in the final