She gritted her teeth. “The fact that lies have been spread about me is unacceptable. I insist that the IOC issue an immediate statement confirming the truth about my sex. Write your report now.”
The doctor removed his glasses and polished both lenses with the lapel of his white coat as he glanced around at his colleagues. “Ah, if nothing else, the mademoiselle confirms her sex with her impatience and lack of reason, oui?”
A German doctor chuckled. “Fräulein, what is the rush? All attention is on the German women now and their victory in the relay is imminent. While you have proven to be a force on the track, there is only one of you and your teammates are”—he pursed his lips—“lacking. You will not be news anymore. No one is interested in hearing more about the distasteful subject of your sex.”
The other doctors sneered in agreement, and Helen was filled with a rage so hot and all-consuming, she could have sworn the dank room heated several degrees. She raised her finger and pointed it at the German doctor, stepping toward the men menacingly. They shuffled away slightly.
“I will do everything in my power to see that my teammates and I beat your team and win gold in that relay. I’m tired of you little men in your little white coats thinking that you’re so superior to me. At this point, I have many friends who are reporters and I can assure you that I will have them dig around in your little lives to find things that would be greatly embarrassing if they were to make it into the press. Perhaps some financial malfeasance that could jeopardize your business standing. Or maybe the discovery of private associations that could bring instability to your family life. Or possibly revelations that you have a taste for something distasteful, shocking, maybe even deviant. Because with all of your smug expressions and the advantages endowed by your powerful positions, I’m sure there are things you hide. Whatever your secrets, let’s put your lives up to public scrutiny and test your reputations and see how it feels, shall we? It could be an interesting experiment, don’t you think? So, before we have to discuss this any further, go and write up that report that clears my name now. If your report is not included in this afternoon’s newspapers, expect some uncomfortable consequences. Are we clear?”
Without another word, the doctors scurried for the door.
54.
August 5, 1936
Berlin
“I HAVE NO IDEA HOW I WILL BACK UP MY THREAT IF THEY don’t come through with their report, but it sure was satisfying to tell those doctors off,” Helen said, her blood still throbbing hot and angry through her veins.
Dee, sitting on Betty’s bed, folded her arms across her chest. “Your name will be cleared. I’m sure none of those fellows wants to test your resolve. Plus, Mr. Brundage doesn’t want any gold medals in question.”
Betty paced the floor of the small dorm room. “Maybe Mr. Brundage should be more concerned about the welfare of his athletes than the medals count.”
Dee shifted and crossed her legs. “Ladies, it’s time we start talking about the relay team. Helen, if you want to race in it and your legs feel strong enough, I see no reason to hold you back.”
Helen wasn’t going to let aching legs stop her now. Thinking back to her encounter with Hitler, how he had abused the photographer and then mistreated her, made her resolve to win even stronger. She also blamed her German hosts for her loss of Ruth, her first love. She could summon the memory of how Ruth would shiver with delight as Helen kissed the soft patch of skin on her neck with such clarity that it made her chest ache. “I’m ready to give the relay everything I’ve got and then some. We’ve got to win it and beat these Germans.”
Dee picked at the satin trim at the edge of the wool blanket beneath her. She didn’t look at either woman as she spoke. “The Germans have a very strong team. They’re the favorites. Even with you out there, I’m not sure we have enough speed to beat them.”
“Who else will race?” Betty asked.
“Helen is a given. Beyond her, I’m thinking of you and Annette. You both have relay experience and have been running well.”
“And the fourth?” Helen asked.
“I don’t know yet. We’ll see how Tidye does in the hurdles over the next couple of days. Harriet’s been racing well too.”
At the mention of Harriet, Helen couldn’t stop herself from leaping out of the bed to tower over Dee. “That’s not true. Harriet’s sick with a cold that she’s gotten from not taking care of herself. I know you’ve been coaching her for years in St. Louis, but she’s distracted and not running well. She couldn’t even make it out of the preliminary heat of the individual hundred-meter.”
Dee’s face reddened. “I know Harriet’s not your favorite person, Helen, but let’s try to be fair here.”
“What about Louise?” Betty asked.
Dee’s face clouded. “She’s a possibility.”
Betty persisted. “She’s been training hard, and as you know, she went to Los Angeles and didn’t get to race there. Olive went to Amsterdam but never competed, but she’s been running well too. And they also worked hard to raise their money.”
“Betty, feel free to step aside to give one of them the opportunity to race. After all, you’ve already won two medals.” Dee jutted out her chin in challenge. When Betty winced and kept silent, Dee went on. “These women have gotten the opportunity to come. Not everyone will end up
