Olympic athletes are some of the most dedicated people in the world, but there are some competitors who went to extreme lengths to achieve their dreams and make their countries proud.
By the 1996 Olympics, American Kerri Strug had been training for 16 years, having started gymnastics at the tender age of three.
By the time of the 1996 Olympics, American Kerri Strug had been training for 16 years, and she began gymnastics at the age of 3.
The US ladies team had gotten off to such a strong start in the Games that the press dubbed them The Magnificent Seven, but as the competition heated up it soon became clear that the Russians were a force to be reckoned with.
The U.S. women's team got off to such a strong start at the Olympics that the media dubbed them the "Brave Seven Dragons," but as the competition heated up, it soon became clear that Russia was a force to be reckoned with.
Despite their best efforts, the US lead had evaporated by the time it came to their final gymnast Kerri Strug. Strug had sprained her ankle during her first vault, and when she realised that she was to be called upon again, she earnestly asked her coach, “Do we need this?”
Despite their best efforts, the U.S. lead was gone by the time their last gymnast, Kerri Strug, came on the field. Strug sprained his ankle during his first vault race. When she realized she was going on again, she asked the coach sincerely, "Do we need this?"
The US hope for the gold relied solely on Kerri’s final vault, and so she limped towards the runway for her second attempt. Her performance was incredible, and she even managed a near perfect dismount, landing on both feet. It was the first time since 1948 that the Russians hadn’t taken home the team gold.
America's gold hopes depended entirely on Kerri's final jump, so she limped to the track for a second test jump. Her performance was incredible, and she even managed to dismount almost perfectly and land on both feet. It was the first time since 1948 that Russians hadn't brought home a team gold medal.
It instantly became clear that Kerri was badly hurt. So much so that she collapsed onto her knees and needed assistance just to leave the platform. The team’s coach, Bela Karolyi, carried Kerri onto the medals podium and after the ceremony, she was hospitalised for a third-degree lateral sprain and tendon damage. “People think these girls are fragile dolls. They’re not. They’re courageous,” Karolyi told the gathered press.
It was clear that Kerri was seriously injured. She fell to the ground and needed help to get out of the jumping platform. Coach Bela Karolyi carried Kerri to the podium, and after the ceremony, she was hospitalized with a third-degree lateral sprain and tendon injury. "People think these girls are fragile dolls. They are not. They are brave," Caroli told reporters.
Stug became a national hero, meeting with President Bill Clinton, appearing on talk shows across the US and making the cover of Sports Illustrated. Speaking to the media after the win, she said, “This is the Olympics. This is what you dream about from when you’re 5 years old. I wasn’t going to stop.”
Kerri Strug became a national hero, was received by President Clinton, appeared on talk shows across the United States, and was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated. After the victory, she told the media: "This is the Olympics. This is your dream when you are 5 years old. I won't stop. ”