Olympic Memory #5

1996.  Atlanta...before it got HOT.  And, back to the gymnastics arena we go.  Oh, you know EXACTLY where I'm headed.

Of course I held my breath with the rest of the nation as Kerri Strug prepared for her second, and final, vault for the United States' first gymnastics team gold in history.  The gold all hinged on this last vault.  At one point, there was no doubt that USA would take home that coveted team gold, but everything started to fray at the edges.  After her first miscue, I steeled myself in our living room, halfway covering my eyes, like you do at the scariest of horror films, and I held my breath...

Of course I cheered when she landed but then in the same millisecond, began to cringe and feel her pain as I saw the deep hurt seethe across her face.  She did it, though: she brought home the gymnastics team gold to the host nation.  

All that went with Kerri was, and still is, legendary: Her cute lil 1996 short bob; her sweet, high-pitched, verging on annoying voice; and of course, Bela Karolyi.  One of the most legendary coaches in the history of gymnastics became even more so when he rushed to the side of his fallen star that night and then later carried her off the podium, with the gold around her neck.  However, as time goes by, I begin to remember less of fact and more of fiction.  Who can feel me when you glance upon this gem???

Yes, SNL was there to gently poke fun at the young Miss Strug (for her legendary features I listed above), but seriously, folks, you haven't really made it until you've been parodied on the longest running live comedic sketch show.  So, with the help of Chris Kattan, Mango himself, we as a nation knew that gold medal Olympic gymnast, Kerri Strug, had truly arrived.