Kellie Wells, Olympic Hurdler, Overcomes Rape, Family Death

Olympian Kellie Wells has spent her life overcoming hurdles -- in both literal and heartbreakingly figurative ways.

After taking home the bronze in Women's 100m Hurdles on Tuesday, the runner, who was raped by her stepfather as a child, has pledged to use her success to help sex abuse victims, ESPN reports.

"I know my story is very common to a lot of people, and it's swept under the rug a lot," Wells told The Telegraph. "If I can help at least one person and show you don't have to be a product of your environment, you don't have to keep secrets, and you don't have to hide, that would be amazing."

Wells first shared her story after a torn hamstring prevented her from participating in the Beijing Games.

She detailed her childhood in a blog post -- explaining that her stepfather perpetually abused her in her own home -- and Wells ultimately revealed in an interview that, when she was 16-years-old, the abuse escalated to rape.

"It took a lot of courage," she recalls. "I knew it would have a big impact but I just thought of the 'little me.' There are a lot of 'little mes' that look up to me now."

Wells had long utilized track as an escape. She explains in an interview with NBC that long practices were a refuge from what awaited at home. After her mother proved unreceptive to her plea for help, Wells packed up and left -- only to hear one month later that both her mother and her rapist had been killed in a car accident.

But Wells persevered.

The hurdler's determination led her to Hampton University, National Championships, and, ultimate Olympic glory. It is now her hope, she explains, to devote her strength to empowering others.

"If I could save one person's life, help them get out of a terrible situation, to save themselves or to save their children, then my whole life, my whole career, is very much worth while," she said.

Related on HuffPost:

Loading Slideshow

• Australia's Sally Pearson, front left, crosses the finish line ahead of United States' Dawn Harper, right, to win gold in the women's 100-meter hurdles final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

• Australia's Sally Pearson, left, is embraced by bronze medallist Kellie Wells of the United States after she won gold in the women's 100-meter hurdles final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip )

• Australia's Sally Pearson reacts as she crosses the finish line to win gold in the women's 100-meter hurdles final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip )

• Australia's Sally Pearson, left, crosses the finish line to win gold ahead of United States' Dawn Harper, right, United States' Kellie Wells, second from right, Canada's Jessica Zelinka, second from left, and Turkey's Nevin Yanit in the women's 100-meter hurdles finalduring the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip )

• Australia's Sally Pearson crosses the finish line for a gold medal win in the women's 100-meter hurdles final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012.(AP Photo/Mark Baker)

• Australia's Sally Pearson crosses the finish line for a gold medal win in the women's 100-meter hurdles final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012.(AP Photo/Mark Baker)

• Australia's Sally Pearson, left, crosses the finish line to win gold ahead of United States' Dawn Harper, right, United States' Kellie Wells, second from right, Canada's Jessica Zelinka, second from left, and Turkey's Nevin Yanit in the women's 100-meter hurdles finalduring the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip )

• Australia's Sally Pearson heads for a gold medal in the finals of the women's 100-meter hurdles during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

• Australia's Sally Pearson edges out USA's Dawn Harperto win the gold medal in the finals of the women's 100-meter hurdles during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

• Australia's Sally Pearson jumps in a women's 100-meter hurdles semifinal during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)

• Australia's Sally Pearson competes in a women's 100-meter hurdles semifinal during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

• United States' Dawn Harper, left, reacts as she crosses the finish line ahead of Jamaica's Shermaine Williams in a women's 100-meter hurdles semifinal during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

• United States' Dawn Harper reacts as she crosses the finish line in a women's 100-meter hurdles semifinal during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

• United States' Dawn Harper reacts as she crosses the finish line in a women's 100-meter hurdles semifinal during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

• Australia's Sally Pearson leads her heat in the women's 100-meter hurdle semifinals during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

• Australia's Sally Pearson leads in the women's 100-meter hurdles final during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)

• Jamaica's Brigitte Foster-Hylton is consoled by Australia's Sally Pearson after competing in a women's 100-meter hurdles heat during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Monday, Aug. 6, 2012.(AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

• Australia's Sally Pearson leads in a women's 100-meter hurdles heat during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Monday, Aug. 6, 2012. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

• Australia's Sally Pearson competes in a women's 100-meter hurdles heat during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Monday, Aug. 6, 2012. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)

• Australia's Sally Pearson competes in a women's 100-meter hurdles heat during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Monday, Aug. 6, 2012. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)

Comments

[StayPositive1]

07:44 PM on 08/16/2012

One question, some of us wondered about, why is Kellies stomach scarred up.? Was that from the abuse? If that's the reason, I hope she gets the help and support she needs. Its not all about media sometimes.

[dblohangel]

08:03 PM on 08/12/2012

Olympian Kellie Wells ...only one word to adequately describe her...Courageous! ♥

[Kelly Washington]

12:46 PM on 08/12/2012

In the end, it doesn't matter. It looks like there are many who question the intentions of this piece despite the die hard Kellie supporters. Some, like the a few of us here, were thrilled by her win and her personal story til the interview came out. Those are the facts, like it or not.

It's not an attack, but to publish a story at this particular moment about sexual abuse is not taken lightly by those who've experienced it (incest). Especially if the story is in reality published for marketability or publicity, as crass as that sounds. It has every right to be called out.

I'm done here. But good luck, I wish her success and I think this story will gradually dissipate, take a backseat to what's more important. In all fairness, I feel sorry for both Dawn and Kellie for letting their pettiness, anger, and jealousies get the best of them because questions about Kellie's credibility and motives wouldn't be present. Over - Out.

[dianalyndsey]

11:00 AM on 08/12/2012

Thank you HuffPo for bringing us another story about an athlete. Kellie Wells is remarkable. I hope that other girls in her situation find the courage to get out.

[Marie Speranza]

11:28 PM on 08/11/2012

..testing...

[Kelly Washington]

08:26 PM on 08/11/2012

I'm sorry, but as touching and moving as this story is, it is highly questionable why she revealed this right after a bitter and jealous interview about not receiving recognition due to Lolo (and yes the questions were directly about Lolo, not the media). She could've answered "no, we didn't catfight" or it's a media problem, not a Lolo problem. Instead............

It is also highly questionable that this comes out after Lolo was interviewed about overcoming personal hardships (but Lolo didn't have to blog it to the world, the press sought her out).

It is highly questionable after Kellie went on a self motivated mens mag photo op., which seems to defeat the purpose of what a survivor stands for, or athletic winner overcoming the odds. It's more in tune with her envy and competitiveness of Lolo (or other female Olympians like Jessica Ennis, who she feels have that all out libido-filled attention she isn't receiving).

I would've believed her before the interview, but in light of everything else her intentions lack credibility. Unfortunately, it feels like she's using a story to one up or outshine, and that's horrible if its the case, but it wreaks of this. Sorry, but that's how a lot of us feel. I've been in a family where incest abounds, and know of other public figures who've empowered and helped those less fortunate. In Kellie's situtation, this isn't the case.

[Godprotection]

12:51 AM on 08/12/2012

Kellie Wells has been talking about this for years, years ago she talked about how she was raped by her mother boyfriend.

So this has nothing to do with Lo Lo Jones

[Kelly Washington]

01:19 AM on 08/12/2012

Exactly my point, why publish her experiences now? I don't doubt the abuse took place, I wonder why after attacking someone else for exposure would she publish this now? And, why sell your bottom in mens mags if you've had this experience? It doesn't add up unless you're needing media attention beyond athletic capability (they aren't the arthouse body images or even the bathing suit pictures taken of Lolo or other athletes).

The interview was telling in itself, that she was unsupportive of another female which had nothing to do with media criticism. The questioning was clearly about Lolo and she had every opportunity to say it wasn't about Lolo or catfighting. I'm not a Lolo fan, but I'm ashamed that athletes of this caliber could be this green and insecure, and hurt an Olympic moment. I wish her the best, however, and hope she gains more confidence through earnest efforts, like her bronze instead of catty interviews.

[Kelly Washington]

01:20 AM on 08/12/2012

Exactly my point, then why share this now? I don't doubt her experience, the timing is questionable.

[dianalyndsey]

10:58 AM on 08/12/2012

Please check your facts before you attack.

In none of the interviews linked to in this article was Lolo Jones even mentioned by anyone. This is not about Lolo Jones. This story is about Kellie Wells. And if you read the comments on the story about Lolo Jones getting a lot of media attention, then you would see that at least one of us pointed out that it was the media's fault for not doing more to bring us stories about other athletes.

Furthermore, The ESPN story is dated APRIL 5, 2012. The Yahoo story is dated August 7, 2012, The Telegraph story is an athlete profile and it is dated July 27. The NBC story is an athlete profile. They have those for everybody.

So HuffPo heard at least my complaint and brought us more stories about other athletes, and you come on here and rip into Kellie Wells? Learn how to click on the links to the other stories and find the dates before you attack someone in this manner.

[Kelly Washington]

11:20 AM on 08/12/2012

Touche, and come down from the self righteous pedestal. These questions are completely valid considering the attacks lodged into another by both Kellie and Dawn for not receiving exposure. From the NY Times to the interview, and photo ops, one has every right to question someone's intentions after what's taken place with what's presented here. The only complaints worth acknowledging were those made on the public international stage about what took place at the Olympics. Full stop. There are enough of us out here who don't "get this." or the intentions. To talk of sexual abuse, and possibly use it for a publicity stunt is no joke. The concern is genuine.

[Kelly Washington]

11:25 AM on 08/12/2012

And from what I can gather, it sounds like you're an ardent Kellie fan. Therefore I suggest you be a bit more objective and do some serious fact checking yourself. Claiming one thing and doing another isn't kidstuff if you're intentions are to "actually" help victims of incest vs. one upmanship with someone like Lolo or Jessica Ennis.

[jessicadevyn]

10:49 AM on 08/11/2012

What a wonderful, courageous, beautiful woman. She is a role model for all Americans and all people. That being said, I find it really sad and disheartening how many women have been sexually abused in their lives as children. The story came out this year of Kayla Harrison, the Judo gold medalist in the 78 kg division was also abused by her coach when she was a girl. And these women were brave enough to come forward, we never know about most victims.

I absolutely commend these women and have nothing but admiration for them. But it breaks my heart to know that they had to go through this to begin with.

[Pho3n1xSun]

08:26 AM on 08/11/2012

congrats to her. it's a shame that her placing wasn't celebrated until after a pointless controversy. we all know that ultimately, the media decided that rather than praise two for their victories, they decided to focus on and criticize one for her failure, and then played them against each other. this was awful and petty on NBC, NY Times, and everyone else who played up this farce of "journalism". I know some of you have already made your opinions of Dawn and Kellie being petty, but remember who actually started this. congrats to all three of these women though for their hard work, dedication, overcoming their trials and tribulations, and competing in the games and representing our country. (despite our country's priorities and reputation)

[roseirishrose54]

03:14 AM on 08/11/2012

What a wonderful, remarkable woman! WTG Kellie. I just know you will help lots of young girls and women. You have a gift as strange as it may sound use it well. We are all so proud of you!

[StayPositive1]

02:50 AM on 08/12/2012

All I can say is I hope she's sincere. She, like Lolo, Dawn, and every Olympian deserve a fare shake. I pray they get it together, and don't make the error of allowing their weaknesses and jealousies to cloud their bonds and strengths.

[roseirishrose54]

02:54 AM on 08/12/2012

I do too. I just hope these were not empty promises. I would like to see them find some maturity and the ability to manage what is to come.

[MsLiss96]

11:20 PM on 08/10/2012

Wow! All I can say is wow. And now I have another reason to look up to her.

[codeofhonor138]

05:56 PM on 08/10/2012

Kellie, you certainly are on the right path the Warriors' path. I hope you make sure to do something for yourself EACH day.

[StayPositive1]

04:35 PM on 08/10/2012

@jstawordr2. Get real. There are several time zones to chose from.

I have no problem acknowledging their triumphs, but the shade they cast on a teammate taints any revelation or medal won.

Hopefully, this will blow over and they'll both have better PR skills next time. To hate on another only hurts the hater.

[g-moi]

04:26 PM on 08/10/2012

Good for her

[keater26]

03:25 PM on 08/10/2012

So glad there are women like hers and Sally Kipyego's to act as role models and inspire us. Wish more young girls and athletes would look up to these women. Triumph over tragedy....good work Kellie.

[LeoPerkins]

03:18 PM on 08/10/2012

Wells is a true inspiration. Best of all, she's a winner. Not hype. Now, why couldn't the media have paid any praise/attention to her before she shamed them?
HuffPost included. Colorism in the media is alive and well, and it's here on this website.