Olympic Gold Medalist Billy Mills Visited Siouxpercon

The track star attended the Sioux Falls event to promote his children's book, Wings of an Eagle.

Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Running

Expressive athletic illustration of a figure in motion, using a navy and gold palette, conveying the spirit of Olympic success. — Olympic gold medalist Billy Mills met with guests at Siouxpercon in Sioux Falls to promote his autobiographical children's book, Wings of an Eagle. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Olympic gold medalist Billy Mills appeared at Siouxpercon held at the Sioux Falls Convention Center this September. He met with guests to discuss his autobiographical children's book, Wings of an Eagle.

Why it matters

Mills aims to share the personal story of his journey from the Oglala Lakota Pine Ridge Reservation to the Olympic stage to inspire local youth to pursue their passions. His message resonates with a statewide audience following the book's recent educational designation.

The South Dakota Humanities Council selected Wings of an Eagle as the 2025 Young Readers One Book. This designation led to the physical distribution of the title to every third grader across the state.

The players

Billy Mills

He is an Olympic gold medalist who grew up on the Oglala Lakota Pine Ridge Reservation.

South Dakota Humanities Council

This state organization promotes humanities and culture through educational initiatives and literary programs.

The details

Billy Mills, who grew up on the Pine Ridge Reservation, used his appearance at the Sioux Falls convention to highlight the importance of dedication and personal growth. The book details his path to Olympic success and provides a narrative framework intended to encourage young readers to follow their own dreams.

The South Dakota Humanities Council selected the book in 2025.
Billy Mills attended Siouxpercon in September 2026.

Season Trajectory

This appearance follows the integration of Mills' autobiography into the South Dakota Humanities Council's Young Readers One Book program. By facilitating this statewide distribution, the council has significantly expanded the reach of Mills' personal narrative among the state's third graders.

For local students and families, this visit provided a direct opportunity to engage with an author whose work is currently part of the statewide third-grade curriculum. The event reinforces the educational initiative by humanizing the historical and personal lessons presented in the text.

The takeaway

Billy Mills uses his athletic legacy to promote literacy and perseverance among young people. Readers can emulate this dedication by identifying their own goals and committing to the pursuit of those passions on a consistent basis.