Special Gymnastics Memories: Kerri Strug's Vault

With only two weeks to go before the start of the 2014 Commonwealth Games, we are continuing with our theme of Favourite International Gymnastics Moment. Kerri Strug’s determination and “true grit” received many nominations from The Zone team. The prospect to perform a make-or-break second vault for the Olympic gold medal is surely one of the most terrifying scenarios imaginable… now envisage attempting the vault with two torn ligaments in your left ankle. This was exactly the situaticon facing US gymnast Kerri Strug, and it is exactly why this moment deserves a place on our list! Approaching the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, The USA had never won a team gold medal in women’s gymnastics. However, with good preparations, a strong team of gymnasts and a supportive home crowd, Team USA had their best ever opportunity to win the competition. With only one apparatus left the US looked to be within reach of the gold, holding a significant, but not totally commanding lead over Russia. All that the unassuming Kerri Strug needed to do was keep her composure on the vault, and the USA would almost certainly cement their place on top of the podium. Disaster struck on her first attempt, when the 4’9” gymnast misjudged her twisting dismount, resulting in a hard fall and a severely injured left ankle – only later would the extent of her ligament damage be discovered. At this point, a first place finish could not be guaranteed, the Russians were performing spectacularly on the floor exercise and Kerri was limping severely after her fall. The surest way to secure the gold medal would be to record a solid score on a successful vault attempt. Kerri realised the importance of landing another attempt and bravely volunteered to try the second routine, despite her injury. Managing the run up, she performed a back handspring before twisting through the air and landing gracefully on the mat, one leg raised tentatively from the pain. Managing to stay on her feet long enough to pose for the judges, Kerri dropped to the ground, before being picked up by Coach Bela Karolyi and paraded to the jubilant crowds. A score of 9.712 from one of the most dramatic vaults in gymnastics history secured the first Olympic gold medal in US women’s team gymnastics. Check out the video below! Inspiration: Kerri scores a 9.712 with 2 torn ligaments! A short documentary on Kerri Strug’s famous Olympic performance