The gymnast who lifted one leg on landing | sport

Atlanta’s Georgia Dome holds its breath. It’s July 23, 1996, the Summer Games have been going on for a few days, and Kerri Strug is ready for her last Nations Cup jump. The mission is simple: don’t fall on landing. If she succeeds, the young gymnast wins gold on behalf of the American team. Then the name Kerri Strug is written in all caps in the book of national sports heroes. But there is a small problem. She takes a deep breath and grabs his concentration.

Time doesn’t stand still for anyone, including Kerri Strug. She is now 42 years old, has a degree in sociology, is the mother of two children and works at the Ministry of Justice. On Instagram, Strug mainly posts photos of her daughter and son, but every now and then she reminds her followers of that special 1996 night.

The issue Kerri Strug faced that night in Atlanta has to do with the landing of the previous jump. She fell badly and injured her foot. She begins her race with a sprained ankle and a damaged tendon. She performs a perfect jump and lands with a face twisted in pain. She lifts her injured leg, but stands as gracefully as possible. Then she collapses. It’s finish. Gold for America.