This moment has been deemed “Legendary” by the writers of Sports Unbiased
Image Courtesy of Peter Read Miller/SI
The Olympic Games were held in Atlanta in 1996 before a partisan US crowd. Prior to 1996 the US Women’s Gymnastics Team had never won a team Gold Medal. Things were about to change. While never winning Gold the Americans were considered by many to be the favorites but barely ahead of Russia and Romania.The ‘Magnificent Seven was a group comprised of Olympic veterans, well-seasoned gymnasts and newcomers. The team members were Captain Amanda Borden, Amy Chow, Dominique Dawes, Shannon Miller, Dominique Moceanu, Jaycie Phelps and Kerri Strug.
While all seven gymnasts were phenomenal in route to the Gold Medal it is the vault of Kerri Strug that is the endearing moment of the Atlanta Games. Strugg could barely walk from an earlier injury but found her way to the end of the runway with the US in the precarious position of possibly making US Olympic history. Scores were close until she summoned up inner courage and charged toward the vault. She made an incredible vault and secured first time Gold for Team USA. She couldn’t even stand after the vault and had to be carried to the Medal ceremony. Now that is courage, determination and patriotism. Watching it always bring s a tear to my eye.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gj2K7RfKObY
YouTube Video Courtesy of Olympic
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