'Fulton Flash' nominated for commemorative stamp

WASHINGTON — A noted two-time Olympic champion from Missouri has been nominated for a United States commemorative postage stamp. The late Helen Stephens of Fulton — known as "the Fulton Flash" — was nominated by a committee working for a stamp to honor Stephens.

According to the State Historical Society of Missouri, Stephens made her Olympic championship debut in 1936 at age 18, setting the Olympic record for the 100-meter dash at 11.5 seconds. Her record stood until the 1960 Olympics when Wilma Rudolph ran it in 11 seconds.

Stephens was also a member of a four-person 400-meter relay team that set another world record time of 46.9 seconds, giving her a total of two gold medals in the 1936 Olympics.