Women’s gymnastics never disappoints in providing the most shocking moments in Olympics history. This year, we watched the bittersweet unfulfillment of Jordyn Wieber’s Olympic dreams. But, to anyone who remembers 1996’s women’s gymnastics competition, Kerri Strug’s vault is still the most shocking moment in Team USA history.
Kerri Strug’s famous vault in the 1996 Atlanta women’s gymnastics team final is the most shocking and inspiring Olympic memory. The USA women’s gymnastic team, later dubbed the “magnificent 7”, placed all their hopes on tiny Strug to land them the gold in the vault competition. Until that point, Strug seemed to be one of the background players for Team USA, overshadowed somewhat by the poised and leaderly Shannon Miller; the spunky and fresh Dominique Moceanu; and the stunningly powerful Dominique Dawes, amongst others. Yet, somehow fate would find it that the humble Arizonian would have to carry the team to the top of the medal stand with one act of courage.
On her first attempt, Strug slammed fast onto the mat and landed square and on her behind, just as Dominique Moceanu had done in her two attempts just moments earlier. Strug seemed to take it in good stride, until announcer John Tesh noticed her stride was disturbed. “Kerri is hurt,” he said, with a concern that struck agonizing tension into the heart of all watching. Something didn’t look right, as she limped and bounced on her feet to get some kind of relief. But you knew, in her big moment, that she had to do it all again – just one more time to even give the team a chance at the gold. The pain would have to wait.
Strug went back to the starting position, took off in her sprint, and stuck the landing on one foot to thunderous applause. With grace, she completed her presentation, then instantly clutched her injured leg. Unable to support the weight of her tiny frame, Strug went down to her knees right where she stood. It took her coach, the famed Bela Karolyi, to carry her off the podium and back to her teammates. It was in his father-like arms that her score was announced. It was a 9.712, which synched the gold for Team USA.
Strug’s sacrifice and fearlessness rung out to everyone watching. Standing there and staring at the vault, Strug must have known how much pain she would face by completing her second vault. She put the hurt to the side for her teammates, her coaches, and her country. Strug showed the depth of dedication of a true team athlete, and consequentially, as a human being. We all learned a little something about greatness that day.
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