Kerri Strug is one of my favorite gymnastics stories. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. Always in someone's shadow. Then in what must've been a horrible, painful moment for her, she made her mark on history. People still consider her vault to be the greatest Olympic moment ever and I definitely think it's up there. People will remember her for many decades and Olympiads to come. You go, Kerri.
Watching Kerri's incredibly gutsy vault and then hearing the crowd just erupt in the most thunderous cheers still gives me chills. The US may be dominant in gymnastics now but there will never be a team like the Mag 7 again...
I remember watching the 96 Olympics when I was 10 years old and just loved Dominique Moceanu. She was my hero. So young and talented. And she's grown up to be a beautiful woman. They are all beautiful. This was a great moment in history.
Sadly it will be hard to do a film after the Karolyis have been disgraced regarding Nassar and their own history of abuse and violence against the girls and their ranch has been closed down. I can see a future movie based on Nassar and the Karolyis involving two of the gymnasts/victims like a Tonya Harding-type of movie.
I love how the documentary says Dawes was dominant on the floor, when in fact Kerri Strug finished with the #1 ranking going into the individual all around.
Amy Chow went to Stanford Med, like one of the top academic programs in the word, won a gold, bronze (and individual silver) at the top sporting event in the world, she's definitely my favourite. :).
I think it's so amazingly crazy how Kerri Strug could have 2 torn ligaments in her left ankle and still manage to walk around, run down the runway, and not keel over in pain (before her second vault). Any normal person on the street would probably be screaming out in agony. It just shows how physically and mentally tough gymnasts really are. :-)
I remember watching this with my sister & Kerri fell & tore 2 ligaments on the first vault; I thought USA had lost the gold at that point.. My sis and I were crying and then it was like a miracle when she landed on on foot.. We were in awe.. Still brings tears to my eyes. I love this team and their story. xx
Kerri ran on sheer, incredible will. I don't imagine most can even walk with 2 torn ligaments, much less run and do such an unbelievable vault. Leaves me in tears. Amazing.
Had to come here today and relive the amazing accomplishments of the US women gymnastics team in 1996. Especially in light of what's going on in Tokyo with the Olympics in 2021. What amazing strength, determination and achievement.
The thing I love the most is that all future generations of young girls will have these seven girls as athletic role models to admire and be inspired to reach their own goals in life.
I did the exact samething (torn the ligaments in my right ankle) just stepping in a hole in the yard and I couldn't walk at all..... How she did what she did has amazed me since that day. Kerri was always my favorite gymnast so watching her do that was just crazy awesome!!
It is so weird to watch this right now, because I vividly remember seeing it live on TV with my mom and sister back in 1996. I remember what a big deal it was and how cool it was to witness all that. I can still hear Bela yelling "Kerri, don't slow down!" and everyone screaming when she stuck that landing. They were a very special team.
I fell in love with women's gymnastics watching the Barcelona Olympics and by Atlanta 1996 was O B S E S S E D. my family was on vacation during that time and I asked if i could bring my TV from home so I could watch the Olympics in my room at our beach house. I watched every moment of the women's gymnastics events and had made friends with another girl whose family was vacationing nearby and invited her to come watch with me. We were jumping up and down and squealing like only teenage girls can when Kerri Strug NAILED that second vault. We cried like babies hearing the national anthem and watching our idols take the gold. I've always loved Shannon Miller- she will always epitomize the grace, elegance, and quiet strength that makes a champion a champion. I think i was even more emotional when she won the BB final.... what a great Olympics! What a great team! The Magnificent 7 are truly that- magnificent!
The US was willing to injure a child for a victory. Kerri Strug won the gold but was never able to do gymnastics again because of her injury. She didn't have a choice. She didn’t just break her ankle, she ruptured a ligament in her ankle and damaged a tendon in it: even worse than a break. Go watch the new Netflix documentary called "Athlete A" because this moment was mentioned. Truly sad and disgusting how they abused those girls
@@16050390 Oh shut up. Do you really think that Kerri Strug didn't want to take that second vault? You idiot. She trained for that and when asked 20 years later on the Today show she said that second vault was HUGE to her in teaching her that she can overcome anything when the pressure is on. Was the most important moment and lesson in her life and carries her to this day with a confidence she never would have had. Stop playing PC cancel culture. There is nothing wrong with hard work and dedication. Everyone doesn't have to be a victim and due to her age she was done with competition anyway. I remember watching her on Beverly Hills 90210 after that. She was HUGE and endorsements came, she was on every show and the IT girl of a nation, well loved.
@@vaskylark First, your statement about "everyone doesn't have to be a victim" is so offensive to any of us, myself included, as a former nationally ranked competitive swimmer. Whatever point you were trying to make, it quite misdirected in tone, and thus ineffective. However, there are some things you need to be made aware of before being so harsh in your response to Ms Poole. I dont have enough space to include every detail about what I was shocked to learn in reading specifically about THIS team event final. Before you bite another persons head off, I strongly urge you to read what I am going to tell you I have in front of me, because it goes into factual and well researched details about the Strug claims and also about TV networks, in an effort to maximize off Olympic moments, presenting tape delayed versions of the Olympics, telling a different story that what actually was happening in the arena, You can go to Amazon.com and buy ANY edition starting with the 2000 Sydney one, of "The Complete Book of the Olympics" by noted Olympic historian David Wallechinsky. I have the 2012 London edition in front of me, and you can get very cheap used version at amazon for under $10. First, I'll just say that you mentioned endorsements. true, but the account on pages 804-805 of the 2012 edition I am looking at explains that in 1999, she was taken to court and sued by one of those companies that signed her on the grounds that she failed to disclose the full, long term extent of her injuries. Next, after that first vault, she had only 1 1/2 minutes to decide if she should pass on her 2nd vault. She tells Bela "I can't do it, I can't feel my leg". Bela replies "we need a 9.6". (turns out that was a flat out lie). "Her teammates, not realizing the seriousness of her injury, urged Strug to shake it off and try the second vault. At the '95 Worlds, Strug qualified for the vault final, but had withdrew citing an injury to her right ankle. She then does the 2nd vault, makes it, stuck the landing, hopped a couple times on her RIGHT ankle." (uhm?) next I'll finish with sheer and utter betrayal by tv networks, gymnastics the USOC all trying to cash in on the Olympic athletes at the expense of injured athletes by an act of subterfuge to the American public.
@@vaskylark Make sure please that you first read my part one reply to you that starts with "first," I will only say that there is a lot to be learned about the culture behind making money and cashing in on athletes by the tv networks, the USOC and the IOC. The following is quoted verbatim and shocking: "The US TV version, presented not live, but on tape delay, was that Strug, realizing her team needed one more high score to ensure victory, sacrificed herself for the common good. This was not untrue, but reality was more complicated that the tv version. In the 1st place, the did NOT need Strug's 2nd vault. Without it, they would have won anyway by .309. Karolyi and others would say that no one in the American camp knew this, particularly since Russia's Roza Galiyeva was still performing. But Galiyeva would have needed a 9.972 to give her team gold, a virtual impossibility considering that the competition's highest score on ANY apparatus had been a 9.887. In fact, Galiyeva earned a 9.5 THAT WAS DROPPED. If the US team didn't know that Strug's final vault was unnecessary, they were the only ones on the floor who didn't". IMHO, this disturbing on several levels, as I have experience watching on tv on the US east coast a good 3 decades in several sports, in international competitions. And am acutely aware that many of them are pre recorded (wont make much in commercials if its half way around the world and shown live while we're asleep) and often very edited to cater to what is most appealing to the US viewing audience. I know this only because its far too often that abbreviated versions of sports I like I cannot see on my tv, but since youtube, I have found for example the Australian broadcasts of swimming events and NOT A MOMENT IS LEFT OUT, from beginning to end including everything about the awards ceremonies. And they show EVERY race even if no Australian is in it; here we only see events or races if americans are in them. And if no american is in the top 3 and a medal winner, we only see the race and nothing else. This gives merit to account of the false story we Americans were told all in the name of commericial dollars for tv networks and the money the USOC and the gymnastics federations could later earn at the expense of an athlete who didnt need to do that jump (that is flat out gross negligence on the part of the US coaches) which injured her ankle that will never fully heal. "In '99, after running in a marathon, Strug told the magazine "Runners World", Unfortunately, the ankle problem is just part of my life now." as for your claims of endorsements, true she did get some, however, "one large one she lost because in '97 she was sued by one of her sponsors on the grounds that she had failed to disclose the full extent of her injuries." I am still very confused however, by how you interpreted Ms Poole's remarks and connecting them with what you claim was her playing PC cancel culture? would you please explain where in her remarks- all of which I have verified as truth via online, before making my reply to you? If that is your understanding or impression of what is IN FACT ACTUAL cancel culture, I suggest you look further into what that term is defined as in terms of our vernacular. She in NO WAY even comes close to calling out for anything to be cancelled; not one bit of her opinion and personal interpretations/critique come close enough at all to fall under that definition. calm down, do your homework and please understand terms before attacking someone who, didn't deserve it. If YOU had only checked online like I was able to in under 15 minutes before considering your words.
@@Parker528 I'm sorry I cannot possibly read that book you wrote. I am an American who grew up in Australia so lecturing me on Aussie broadcast of sports is pointless. I've also been watching gymnastics since '76 when the great Nadia scored all those perfect 10's. I even watched the Worlds one year on my wedding night back in the Kim Zemeskal days! You are not more of an expert than me or anybody else who has put decades into watching a sport. I also watch surfing, Aussie rules football (Go Collingwood), American football (Go Redskins), basketball and downhill skiing and ice skating along with all the swimming events. I know we all feel like experts but you don't know that you are talking to a 51 year old who spent so much time on the bars as a kid in Australia that my hands cracked and bled (and I was good, but only on the bars because I was too tall for gymnastics). I also think you're being too hard on American sports coverage. There are a ton of things Aussies do better than America (schooling for one). They did more with less money and school was way more challenging, but, Austraalia only had two channels to watch on the tele and it was harder to get the rights to show things so when they did they showed ALL of it. TV watching was not so good in Australia, which was fine, I played outside as a kid with all of my mates instead.
Shannon and Kerri, two of the best gymnasts the US has ever seen. Got a little teary just now. I remember watching this as a kid and wishing to be a gymnast. Didn't have any programs near me, so I went on to be a Track athlete. Learned how to push through injuries and sickness, and to take one for the team. Thanks for the inspiration, Kerri!
Look at Kerri's performance during the team events, she was the most solid person on the floor exercise, and brought them back after Shannon's low score. She was consistant on the beam and the uneven bars posting top 3 scores on both, and then blew her ankle apart ensuring a team gold. Had she not hurt herself I believe she would have dominated in the individual all around.
magnificant 7 is my inspiration i resently broke my foot training for my gymnastics competition and i couldnt compete i cryed so much but this story motivated me to keep going and to never give up
Thank you so much for posting these videos! I just got done reading "Off Balance". I remember watching gymnastics in the early 90's and then watching how on fire they were in Atlanta '96. Nothing short of amazing and inspirational.
I remember when I was 6 and I watched all of these girls perform, but i definitely think Kerri is my biggest hero she showed that you should never give up!
I remember being glued to the tv @ 15 yrs old and wondering how they could do that. I was totally in awe. Kerri Strug was my favorite. When she landed the vault I was so excited I tried to do a flip off the couch and sprained my wrist. Guess I wasn't meant for the gold, lol.
I remember watching this when I was 16. I've been obsessed with gymnastics ever since, but by that time, I was way to old to even compete. If only I had been younger when I had seen this! Who knows how far in that sport I could have gone. Oh well, I guess adult gymnastics for me is the closest I'll ever get...with no competitions :-/
I absolutely loved watching this! I have read every since book about these girls, and I just think they're amazing. My personal favorites are Amanda Borden and Kerri Strug.
i was 11 when i saw this happen, and i will never EVER forget this moment as long as i live. as an american, this is maybe the most dramatic thing i have ever seen in sports history. i'll tell my kids and grand kids i saw this happen live. it's the kind of thing movies are made of.
i was six years old watching this, and i wanted to be like Dominique Moceanu lol I was obsessed with the Magnificent 7 and gymnastics. Keri had a Daniel Larusso moment, it's both awesome and painful to watch.
I was only five years old when this happened, but I very clearly remember that it was the first time I really understood what the Olympcs were. I remember my two older sisters and I becoming obsessed wth gmnastics because of this, but the most distinct memory is after Keri Strugg did her first vault my parents were kinda of quiet, but when she nailed the second they went nuts. My dad actually cried lol
I agree.. And how close it was with that extraordinary ending vault. Just. WOW. I was around these girls age at the time and doing flips all over my house after they won.. Great memories.
The image that will stay in my mind is first Kerri running towards that vault with that look in her eye and then the landing. She held her hands up high and said this is my time.
@reklamedame When I was there to witness this first hand. What I saw was pure unfiltered determination. And in the end I saw a hero rise from being the underdog.
Hindsight is always 20/20. They simply didn't have the information at the time that would've kept Kerri from vaulting. In their mind at the time she had to vault for them to win.
I read Moceanu’s book Off Balance. Apparently Bela Karolyi made her do her entire routine (bars, beam, floor, vault) SIXTEEN TIMES right before they had to compete. So by the time Dominique Moceanu got on the floor in the Olympics she was EXHAUSTED. What was Karolyi thinking? What is there to gain by breaking the gymnast RIGHT BEFORE the Olympics?
The Fab Five won't get nearly the attention as these girls did, documentary-wise, Hall of Fame-wise, because these girls made history. They stand alone because of that.
Mackenzie Rose the sport has also evolved considerably since then The floor has much more spring, the beam has more padding, the vault is completely different, safer, and the UB have been changed to allow larger release skills. They were different times but, your WRONG, (as an all a rounder, yes, Simone is better) but Shannon would beat her on BB, as would Dawes. Amy would beat her on UB, as would Miller
I see what you mean, I felt the same way. Like you, I felt that Strug's heroism was exceptional, but it was a shame for it to have over-shadowed the accomplishment of this amazing team. But, you know, I also felt that Strug's consistent, and at times, stellar gymnastics throughout the competition, was also over-shadowed by the media's attention to "the vault", and if anyone deserved to finally have the spot-light, it was Kerri.
@kiwigymnast16 I was eight years old, and not even remotely interested in sports at the time. I slept through the super bowl six months later, missing my team's victory (to my everlasting shame). But I remember this. It's kind of strange how so many memories from back then are getting fuzzy, but this one moment is perfectly clear.
@kiwigymnast16 I wish you had been too. I was glued to the tv everytime the gymnastics events came on and I've never had any interest in gymnastics. To tell you the truth I had never taken interest in the Olympics either except this time when it was in Atlanta. I watched a little bit of the Olympics in '08 but it just didn't have that feel to it. But I digress, watching Moceanu was heartbreaking and then nail biting when Strug was up. I couldn't believe what I had just seen. Amazing History.
I can't agree that. Her compulsories and 3 events in optionals was the best performance of her life. I think the vault mistakes had to do with nerves and her leg injury.
Out of at least 60 routines (possibly 64) from World Championships and her 2 Olympics, she only fell one time, and that was her first vault in '96. It was definitely strange to see her and Dominique fall on vault, since both were able to do that vault in their sleep. I wonder how things would have turned out had Kerri not gotten injured.
I do agree with Kerrie Even knowing now, that she didn't have to vault, I would of vaulted anyway, because she wouldn't want to be wondering for all those years would we have won? Would we have not? I just feel proud watching her talking about it, and watching her do it, and even though they didn't need her vault to win. I will always feel that she won the gold for America, and set and inspiration for the rest of the sport of gymnastics
Could have showed Shannon Millers Gold Medal beam performance in the event finals. Best thing ever. Shannon always living in shadows. She was amazing. Most decorated American gymnast ever.
She is one of the best gymnast the world has ever seen and 100% the best gymnast in American history. She deserved the gold in Barcelona. I don't think that the US will ever have a better gymnast. Although I'm sure that her medal count will be surpassed...they just don't produce gymnasts like Shannon in this day and age.
I havve a special week dedicated to the girls in my stories... Can't wait to put it out there some day!! Dominique Dawes, Amy Chow, Amanda Borden, Jayce Phelps, Keri Strug, Dominique Moceanu & Shannon Miller represent for life!!
Incredible. I just wish they would have shown more of Chow's and Dawes' routines. Other than that, awesome. And then they all went to pursue major careers after it all. Talk about strong, beautiful and intelligent women. :D
You're right and in fact, Kerri didn't have to vault at all. In the end, Dominique Moceanu's score was enough to win the gold, but they didn't know that at the time (the Russians were still performing on floor).
Imagine how much better they could have been, without Domi's falls and Kerri's injury, if they were not being abused... ESPECIALLY Domi, but Kerri too because they put so much attention on Domi, she was surely jealous, not realizing the horrors she was shielded from by NOT being the favorite. I feel without the abuse and toxic dynamics, Domi would not have fallen, and Kerri would not have vaulted while injured, ruining her all-around/event chances.
In the team finals, they count the best of the two vaults. Dominique's best was a 9.2 and that would have been enough, but no one knew that at the time, because there were still Russian athletes performing on floor. Kerri's second vault was her best at a score of 9.712, so the team could drop Dominique's 9.2 anyway.
It is funny to think that these magnificent women and former gymnasts are walking around living normal likes even though they changed history! that is crazy to think about!.
Kerri Strug is one of my favorite gymnastics stories. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. Always in someone's shadow. Then in what must've been a horrible, painful moment for her, she made her mark on history.
People still consider her vault to be the greatest Olympic moment ever and I definitely think it's up there. People will remember her for many decades and Olympiads to come. You go, Kerri.
Watching Kerri's incredibly gutsy vault and then hearing the crowd just erupt in the most thunderous cheers still gives me chills. The US may be dominant in gymnastics now but there will never be a team like the Mag 7 again...
I was 9 when this happened and I remember her being hurt. I remember her landing, the collapse afterward, ... like it was yesterday.
I was such a fan of Amy Chow, I loved watching her on those bars in '96; so freaking flawless!
That was such a clutch moment. She was in so much pain. Incredible win.
I remember watching the 96 Olympics when I was 10 years old and just loved Dominique Moceanu. She was my hero. So young and talented. And she's grown up to be a beautiful woman. They are all beautiful. This was a great moment in history.
Kerri Strugg went straight gansta on that last vault, get it girl!
That final vault brings me to tears. Crazy, amazing...just wow.
Me too I remember it so well....
This team truly deserves to have a film made about them just like Miracle or The Race.
Sadly it will be hard to do a film after the Karolyis have been disgraced regarding Nassar and their own history of abuse and violence against the girls and their ranch has been closed down. I can see a future movie based on Nassar and the Karolyis involving two of the gymnasts/victims like a Tonya Harding-type of movie.
I love how the documentary says Dawes was dominant on the floor, when in fact Kerri Strug finished with the #1 ranking going into the individual all around.
Amy Chow went to Stanford Med, like one of the top academic programs in the word, won a gold, bronze (and individual silver) at the top sporting event in the world, she's definitely my favourite. :).
Still an emotional memory. Ranks right up there with the 1980 Hockey Gold Medal in U.S. Olympic history!
I think it's so amazingly crazy how Kerri Strug could have 2 torn ligaments in her left ankle and still manage to walk around, run down the runway, and not keel over in pain (before her second vault). Any normal person on the street would probably be screaming out in agony. It just shows how physically and mentally tough gymnasts really are. :-)
I remember watching this with my sister & Kerri fell & tore 2 ligaments on the first vault; I thought USA had lost the gold at that point.. My sis and I were crying and then it was like a miracle when she landed on on foot.. We were in awe.. Still brings tears to my eyes. I love this team and their story. xx
Kerri ran on sheer, incredible will. I don't imagine most can even walk with 2 torn ligaments, much less run and do such an unbelievable vault. Leaves me in tears. Amazing.
I wa teary eyed after watching this. Kerri Strug was a hero. Love her!
Had to come here today and relive the amazing accomplishments of the US women gymnastics team in 1996. Especially in light of what's going on in Tokyo with the Olympics in 2021. What amazing strength, determination and achievement.
This story of the "Magnificent 7" will be told for decades to come, it's the female version of "Remember the Titans" only bigger and better
bigger than the olympic games for sure
The thing I love the most is that all future generations of young girls will have these seven girls as athletic role models to admire and be inspired to reach their own goals in life.
I did the exact samething (torn the ligaments in my right ankle) just stepping in a hole in the yard and I couldn't walk at all..... How she did what she did has amazed me since that day. Kerri was always my favorite gymnast so watching her do that was just crazy awesome!!
It is so weird to watch this right now, because I vividly remember seeing it live on TV with my mom and sister back in 1996. I remember what a big deal it was and how cool it was to witness all that. I can still hear Bela yelling "Kerri, don't slow down!" and everyone screaming when she stuck that landing. They were a very special team.
I fell in love with women's gymnastics watching the Barcelona Olympics and by Atlanta 1996 was O B S E S S E D. my family was on vacation during that time and I asked if i could bring my TV from home so I could watch the Olympics in my room at our beach house. I watched every moment of the women's gymnastics events and had made friends with another girl whose family was vacationing nearby and invited her to come watch with me. We were jumping up and down and squealing like only teenage girls can when Kerri Strug NAILED that second vault. We cried like babies hearing the national anthem and watching our idols take the gold. I've always loved Shannon Miller- she will always epitomize the grace, elegance, and quiet strength that makes a champion a champion. I think i was even more emotional when she won the BB final.... what a great Olympics! What a great team! The Magnificent 7 are truly that- magnificent!
i still cry about what kerrri had done..(happy crying)
To this day I can't believe she was able to run and complete that vault with that bad ankle.
The US was willing to injure a child for a victory. Kerri Strug won the gold but was never able to do gymnastics again because of her injury. She didn't have a choice. She didn’t just break her ankle, she ruptured a ligament in her ankle and damaged a tendon in it: even worse than a break. Go watch the new Netflix documentary called "Athlete A" because this moment was mentioned. Truly sad and disgusting how they abused those girls
@@16050390 Oh shut up. Do you really think that Kerri Strug didn't want to take that second vault? You idiot. She trained for that and when asked 20 years later on the Today show she said that second vault was HUGE to her in teaching her that she can overcome anything when the pressure is on. Was the most important moment and lesson in her life and carries her to this day with a confidence she never would have had. Stop playing PC cancel culture. There is nothing wrong with hard work and dedication. Everyone doesn't have to be a victim and due to her age she was done with competition anyway. I remember watching her on Beverly Hills 90210 after that. She was HUGE and endorsements came, she was on every show and the IT girl of a nation, well loved.
@@vaskylark First, your statement about "everyone doesn't have to be a victim" is so offensive to any of us, myself included, as a former nationally ranked competitive swimmer. Whatever point you were trying to make, it quite misdirected in tone, and thus ineffective.
However, there are some things you need to be made aware of before being so harsh in your response to Ms Poole. I dont have enough space to include every detail about what I was shocked to learn in reading specifically about THIS team event final. Before you bite another persons head off, I strongly urge you to read what I am going to tell you I have in front of me, because it goes into factual and well researched details about the Strug claims and also about TV networks, in an effort to maximize off Olympic moments, presenting tape delayed versions of the Olympics, telling a different story that what actually was happening in the arena, You can go to Amazon.com and buy ANY edition starting with the 2000 Sydney one, of "The Complete Book of the Olympics" by noted Olympic historian David Wallechinsky. I have the 2012 London edition in front of me, and you can get very cheap used version at amazon for under $10.
First, I'll just say that you mentioned endorsements. true, but the account on pages 804-805 of the 2012 edition I am looking at explains that in 1999, she was taken to court and sued by one of those companies that signed her on the grounds that she failed to disclose the full, long term extent of her injuries. Next, after that first vault, she had only 1 1/2 minutes to decide if she should pass on her 2nd vault. She tells Bela "I can't do it, I can't feel my leg". Bela replies "we need a 9.6". (turns out that was a flat out lie). "Her teammates, not realizing the seriousness of her injury, urged Strug to shake it off and try the second vault. At the '95 Worlds, Strug qualified for the vault final, but had withdrew citing an injury to her right ankle. She then does the 2nd vault, makes it, stuck the landing, hopped a couple times on her RIGHT ankle." (uhm?)
next I'll finish with sheer and utter betrayal by tv networks, gymnastics the USOC all trying to cash in on the Olympic athletes at the expense of injured athletes by an act of subterfuge to the American public.
@@vaskylark Make sure please that you first read my part one reply to you that starts with "first,"
I will only say that there is a lot to be learned about the culture behind making money and cashing in on athletes by the tv networks, the USOC and the IOC.
The following is quoted verbatim and shocking: "The US TV version, presented not live, but on tape delay, was that Strug, realizing her team needed one more high score to ensure victory, sacrificed herself for the common good. This was not untrue, but reality was more complicated that the tv version. In the 1st place, the did NOT need Strug's 2nd vault. Without it, they would have won anyway by .309. Karolyi and others would say that no one in the American camp knew this, particularly since Russia's Roza Galiyeva was still performing. But Galiyeva would have needed a 9.972 to give her team gold, a virtual impossibility considering that the competition's highest score on ANY apparatus had been a 9.887. In fact, Galiyeva earned a 9.5 THAT WAS DROPPED. If the US team didn't know that Strug's final vault was unnecessary, they were the only ones on the floor who didn't".
IMHO, this disturbing on several levels, as I have experience watching on tv on the US east coast a good 3 decades in several sports, in international competitions. And am acutely aware that many of them are pre recorded (wont make much in commercials if its half way around the world and shown live while we're asleep) and often very edited to cater to what is most appealing to the US viewing audience. I know this only because its far too often that abbreviated versions of sports I like I cannot see on my tv, but since youtube, I have found for example the Australian broadcasts of swimming events and NOT A MOMENT IS LEFT OUT, from beginning to end including everything about the awards ceremonies. And they show EVERY race even if no Australian is in it; here we only see events or races if americans are in them. And if no american is in the top 3 and a medal winner, we only see the race and nothing else.
This gives merit to account of the false story we Americans were told all in the name of commericial dollars for tv networks and the money the USOC and the gymnastics federations could later earn at the expense of an athlete who didnt need to do that jump (that is flat out gross negligence on the part of the US coaches) which injured her ankle that will never fully heal.
"In '99, after running in a marathon, Strug told the magazine "Runners World", Unfortunately, the ankle problem is just part of my life now." as for your claims of endorsements, true she did get some, however, "one large one she lost because in '97 she was sued by one of her sponsors on the grounds that she had failed to disclose the full extent of her injuries."
I am still very confused however, by how you interpreted Ms Poole's remarks and connecting them with what you claim was her playing PC cancel culture? would you please explain where in her remarks- all of which I have verified as truth via online, before making my reply to you? If that is your understanding or impression of what is IN FACT ACTUAL cancel culture, I suggest you look further into what that term is defined as in terms of our vernacular. She in NO WAY even comes close to calling out for anything to be cancelled; not one bit of her opinion and personal interpretations/critique come close enough at all to fall under that definition. calm down, do your homework and please understand terms before attacking someone who, didn't deserve it. If YOU had only checked online like I was able to in under 15 minutes before considering your words.
@@Parker528 I'm sorry I cannot possibly read that book you wrote. I am an American who grew up in Australia so lecturing me on Aussie broadcast of sports is pointless. I've also been watching gymnastics since '76 when the great Nadia scored all those perfect 10's. I even watched the Worlds one year on my wedding night back in the Kim Zemeskal days! You are not more of an expert than me or anybody else who has put decades into watching a sport. I also watch surfing, Aussie rules football (Go Collingwood), American football (Go Redskins), basketball and downhill skiing and ice skating along with all the swimming events. I know we all feel like experts but you don't know that you are talking to a 51 year old who spent so much time on the bars as a kid in Australia that my hands cracked and bled (and I was good, but only on the bars because I was too tall for gymnastics). I also think you're being too hard on American sports coverage. There are a ton of things Aussies do better than America (schooling for one). They did more with less money and school was way more challenging, but, Austraalia only had two channels to watch on the tele and it was harder to get the rights to show things so when they did they showed ALL of it. TV watching was not so good in Australia, which was fine, I played outside as a kid with all of my mates instead.
Shannon and Kerri, two of the best gymnasts the US has ever seen. Got a little teary just now. I remember watching this as a kid and wishing to be a gymnast. Didn't have any programs near me, so I went on to be a Track athlete. Learned how to push through injuries and sickness, and to take one for the team. Thanks for the inspiration, Kerri!
I still remember this like it was yesterday! Still so proud of the Mag 7!
Look at Kerri's performance during the team events, she was the most solid person on the floor exercise, and brought them back after Shannon's low score. She was consistant on the beam and the uneven bars posting top 3 scores on both, and then blew her ankle apart ensuring a team gold. Had she not hurt herself I believe she would have dominated in the individual all around.
This still bring's tears to my eyes... Awesome moment.
magnificant 7 is my inspiration i resently broke my foot training for my gymnastics competition and i couldnt compete i cryed so much but this story motivated me to keep going and to never give up
Thank you so much for posting these videos! I just got done reading "Off Balance". I remember watching gymnastics in the early 90's and then watching how on fire they were in Atlanta '96. Nothing short of amazing and inspirational.
I remember when I was 6 and I watched all of these girls perform, but i definitely think Kerri is my biggest hero she showed that you should never give up!
WOW they are all very successful in life! Damn they are either Coach, work for the gov., law and med students wowowowoowow
I remember being glued to the tv @ 15 yrs old and wondering how they could do that. I was totally in awe. Kerri Strug was my favorite. When she landed the vault I was so excited I tried to do a flip off the couch and sprained my wrist. Guess I wasn't meant for the gold, lol.
I remember watching this when I was 16. I've been obsessed with gymnastics ever since, but by that time, I was way to old to even compete. If only I had been younger when I had seen this! Who knows how far in that sport I could have gone. Oh well, I guess adult gymnastics for me is the closest I'll ever get...with no competitions :-/
I absolutely loved watching this! I have read every since book about these girls, and I just think they're amazing. My personal favorites are Amanda Borden and Kerri Strug.
this seriously brings tears to my eyes every time I hear this story! Thanks for the cleansing moment AGAIN!
Still get teary-eyed watching this!
i love the sound of the crowd every time something is stuck.
i was 11 when i saw this happen, and i will never EVER forget this moment as long as i live. as an american, this is maybe the most dramatic thing i have ever seen in sports history. i'll tell my kids and grand kids i saw this happen live. it's the kind of thing movies are made of.
I'm crying. All their hard work. I can't even...
This was very interesting to watch. Thanks for posting it!
Thanks so much for sharing this with us!
i was six years old watching this, and i wanted to be like Dominique Moceanu lol I was obsessed with the Magnificent 7 and gymnastics. Keri had a Daniel Larusso moment, it's both awesome and painful to watch.
So nice to see what the young women are up to after all these years. :) Thanks for posting. What a great memory.
For some reason, hearing Bart Conner saying "rear end" makes me laugh.
I was three when Kerri did that vault, and she's the reason I did gymnastics for 13 years.
Wow I loved it thanks for uploading what a great team I have goosebumps watching this
I coudn't belive its been 16 years.... I remember Kerri jump so clearly
I'm crying and I'm not even American, her face showed that she was in great pain but did it and now has a place in my heart.
love this documentary, thanks for posting. very inspiring! :)
Thank you for posting this.
I was only five years old when this happened, but I very clearly remember that it was the first time I really understood what the Olympcs were. I remember my two older sisters and I becoming obsessed wth gmnastics because of this, but the most distinct memory is after Keri Strugg did her first vault my parents were kinda of quiet, but when she nailed the second they went nuts. My dad actually cried lol
this is so amazing! Kerri strug is my inspiration!
incredible..
God bless these girls
I've always LOVED at 5:12 someone yells "C'MON DO IT!" Sounds like Dawes' coach Kelli Hill
I agree.. And how close it was with that extraordinary ending vault. Just. WOW. I was around these girls age at the time and doing flips all over my house after they won.. Great memories.
so beautiful so talented..they are really the greatest of there time...there is no one like this wonderful team of amazing girls!!!!
Hey everyone this is my childhood. I love 💕 it.
I love this team. Amazing.
The image that will stay in my mind is first Kerri running towards that vault with that look in her eye and then the landing. She held her hands up high and said this is my time.
that was a very touching documentary :)
@reklamedame When I was there to witness this first hand. What I saw was pure unfiltered determination. And in the end I saw a hero rise from being the underdog.
i cried during this video! who could possibly dislike it?
I can still hear Bela saying "You can do it!"
I love the epilogue!
Hindsight is always 20/20. They simply didn't have the information at the time that would've kept Kerri from vaulting. In their mind at the time she had to vault for them to win.
..god.. that just make me cry. :)
me too.... oh the memories... made gymnastics look SO glamorous...
Now this is TEAM work!!
how they grown.. shannon miller , domique moceanu, and amy chow are my favorite babes but all 7 are fantastic
Yeah. One of the funny things I remember is how they all left Kerri standing on the gold metalist platform.
I read Moceanu’s book Off Balance. Apparently Bela Karolyi made her do her entire routine (bars, beam, floor, vault) SIXTEEN TIMES right before they had to compete. So by the time Dominique Moceanu got on the floor in the Olympics she was EXHAUSTED. What was Karolyi thinking? What is there to gain by breaking the gymnast RIGHT BEFORE the Olympics?
The Fab Five won't get nearly the attention as these girls did, documentary-wise, Hall of Fame-wise, because these girls made history. They stand alone because of that.
Biles is better than all of them
Mackenzie Rose the sport has also evolved considerably since then The floor has much more spring, the beam has more padding, the vault is completely different, safer, and the UB have been changed to allow larger release skills. They were different times but, your WRONG, (as an all a rounder, yes, Simone is better) but Shannon would beat her on BB, as would Dawes. Amy would beat her on UB, as would Miller
I see what you mean, I felt the same way. Like you, I felt that Strug's heroism was exceptional, but it was a shame for it to have over-shadowed the accomplishment of this amazing team.
But, you know, I also felt that Strug's consistent, and at times, stellar gymnastics throughout the competition, was also over-shadowed by the media's attention to "the vault", and if anyone deserved to finally have the spot-light, it was Kerri.
@kiwigymnast16 I was eight years old, and not even remotely interested in sports at the time. I slept through the super bowl six months later, missing my team's victory (to my everlasting shame). But I remember this. It's kind of strange how so many memories from back then are getting fuzzy, but this one moment is perfectly clear.
excellent documentary
i wish that i had been alive to see this
7 dislikes? 7 pissed Russians!
@kiwigymnast16 I wish you had been too. I was glued to the tv everytime the gymnastics events came on and I've never had any interest in gymnastics. To tell you the truth I had never taken interest in the Olympics either except this time when it was in Atlanta. I watched a little bit of the Olympics in '08 but it just didn't have that feel to it. But I digress, watching Moceanu was heartbreaking and then nail biting when Strug was up. I couldn't believe what I had just seen. Amazing History.
I can't agree that. Her compulsories and 3 events in optionals was the best performance of her life. I think the vault mistakes had to do with nerves and her leg injury.
AMAZING
Out of at least 60 routines (possibly 64) from World Championships and her 2 Olympics, she only fell one time, and that was her first vault in '96.
It was definitely strange to see her and Dominique fall on vault, since both were able to do that vault in their sleep. I wonder how things would have turned out had Kerri not gotten injured.
This documentary was 5 years ago. They have all had new updates. All are married with kids. Amy Chow is a pediatrician now.
I do agree with Kerrie Even knowing now, that she didn't have to vault, I would of vaulted anyway, because she wouldn't want to be wondering for all those years would we have won? Would we have not? I just feel proud watching her talking about it, and watching her do it, and even though they didn't need her vault to win. I will always feel that she won the gold for America, and set and inspiration for the rest of the sport of gymnastics
This year's team look like they really could come away from these Olympics with gold. After all that hard work, I can only hope.
Could have showed Shannon Millers Gold Medal beam performance in the event finals. Best thing ever. Shannon always living in shadows. She was amazing. Most decorated American gymnast ever.
She is one of the best gymnast the world has ever seen and 100% the best gymnast in American history. She deserved the gold in Barcelona. I don't think that the US will ever have a better gymnast. Although I'm sure that her medal count will be surpassed...they just don't produce gymnasts like Shannon in this day and age.
the things they grow up to do sometimes is something you never expect
Awesome 😎 Dawesome !!
Yes, that's right. She was supposed to be in the AA, but after those vaults, Dominique Moceanu was put in instead.
Amanda Borden is and always has been so beautiful!!! Same with the rest of the girls.
tnks!!!!!!!!!!
I havve a special week dedicated to the girls in my stories... Can't wait to put it out there some day!! Dominique Dawes, Amy Chow, Amanda Borden, Jayce Phelps, Keri Strug, Dominique Moceanu & Shannon Miller represent for life!!
Incredible. I just wish they would have shown more of Chow's and Dawes' routines. Other than that, awesome. And then they all went to pursue major careers after it all. Talk about strong, beautiful and intelligent women. :D
Little girls grow up to be even bigger women...WONDERFUL!!!!
You're right and in fact, Kerri didn't have to vault at all. In the end, Dominique Moceanu's score was enough to win the gold, but they didn't know that at the time (the Russians were still performing on floor).
That Kerri Strug sure is a force to be reckoned with.
GREAT!!!!!! and she from TUCSON ARIZONA yea baby my home town!!!!
Imagine how much better they could have been, without Domi's falls and Kerri's injury, if they were not being abused... ESPECIALLY Domi, but Kerri too because they put so much attention on Domi, she was surely jealous, not realizing the horrors she was shielded from by NOT being the favorite. I feel without the abuse and toxic dynamics, Domi would not have fallen, and Kerri would not have vaulted while injured, ruining her all-around/event chances.
In the team finals, they count the best of the two vaults. Dominique's best was a 9.2 and that would have been enough, but no one knew that at the time, because there were still Russian athletes performing on floor. Kerri's second vault was her best at a score of 9.712, so the team could drop Dominique's 9.2 anyway.
It is funny to think that these magnificent women and former gymnasts are walking around living normal likes even though they changed history! that is crazy to think about!.