Betty Robinson won women 's 100 metres gold at the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam . It was the first Olympics where women were allowed to compete . The numbers behind the 2012 Olympics . Aged 16 , Robinson became the first women 's track and field gold medal winner . The Illinois native almost died in a plane crash but returned at the Berlin Games .
Betty Robinson won women 's 100 metres gold at the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam . It was the first Olympics where women were allowed to compete . Aged 16 , Robinson became the first women 's track and field gold medal winner . The Illinois native almost died in a plane crash but returned at the Berlin Games .