Shirley Jo Finney as Wilma Rudolph

Cicely Tyson as Blanche Rudolph

Jason Bernard as Coach Temple

Denzel Washington as Robert Eldridge, age 18

Joe Seneca as Ed Rudolph

Charles Blackwell as Coach Gray

Norman Matlock as Dr. Gordon

Réjane Magloire as Wilma, age 12

L. Warren Young as Post Office Assistant

Larry B. Scott as Robert Eldridge, age 12

Piper Carter as Wilma - Age 4

Pauletta Washington as Mae Faggs (as Paulette Pearson)

Andrea Frierson as Martha Hudson

Stacy Green as Tootie

Dury Cox as Pappy Marshall

Roger Askew as Dr. Williams

J. Franklin Taylor as Principal