BLACK HISTORY MONTH ADDRESS

Olympian delivers Black History Month address

Mattiline Render, an African American Olympian from Moreland, Georgia, encouraged her audience at the Black History Month address on Feb. 22 to live with no regrets.

“Love what you do, and don’t let anyone bust your bubble,” she said during her speech in Callaway Auditorium. “Don’t let anyone tell you what you’re not capable of doing because you have your own capabilities.”

She ran for Tennessee State University, Temple State University and the New York Police Athletic League. In 1971, Render won a gold medal in the 4x100 meter relay at the

Pan American Games and set a world record in the 4x110 yard relay. She competed in the 100-meter event and the 4x100 meter relay event at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich and placed fourth in the relay.

“Being an athlete for me has been educational and beneficial,” Render said.

During the event, the Rev. Dr. Adam Roberts called Render “one of the pioneering athletes of African American women’s presence in the Olympic games.”

Concluding her remarks, Render told students that “Love, peace and happiness equals riches.”