Kerri Strug's Vault

About

Kerri Strug's vault at the 1996 Olympics is one of the most iconic moments in gymnastics history. During the team finals, Strug, a vault specialist, was the last U.S. gymnast to compete. Despite injuring her ankle on her first vault attempt, she bravely decided to perform a second vault. With encouragement from her coach, Béla Károlyi, Strug landed her second vault, scoring a crucial 9.712, which secured the gold medal for the U.S. team. This moment marked the first time the U.S. women's gymnastics team won an Olympic gold medal. Strug's determination and resilience have made her a legendary figure in the sport. Her performance, though memorable, was not necessary for the U.S. to win, as they would have still taken gold without it. Nonetheless, it remains an enduring symbol of courage and dedication in sports. Strug's achievement was part of the U.S. team's historic victory, known as the Magnificent Seven, during the Atlanta Games.