Kaitlin Moore - Kerri Strug and the Magnificent Seven

The gymnast must run, jump, and vault off a springboard. She must land on both feet on the other side.

Kerri Strug stood at the end of the runway. She was waiting for the green light. In gymnastics, green means go. As soon as it flashed, she would start running toward the vault, eighty-two feet away. Kerri had done this vault a hundred times. But this time was different.

This time her vault would make history.

Kerri was only eighteen years old, but she had a big job. She was representing the United States at the Olympic Games. She and her teammates were called the Magnificent Seven. Thats because they were the strongest American womens gymnastics team in history. No American gymnastics team had ever won Olympic gold. None had even come close.

Until now.

The Americans were only one vault away from a gold medal.

It was Kerris vault. It was her big chance to win victory for her team and her country. She had to do the vault perfectly. And she had to do it in front of the whole world. Thirty-two thousand people were watching her from the stands. Millions more were watching from home.

Each gymnast got two tries on the vault. Kerri had already used up her first try. Shed fallen hard and twisted her ankle. Pain went through her leg. She could barely feel her foot.

Shake it out! her coach told her. Give me one last vault.

He knew the American team had no other choice. Kerri knew it, too. If she couldnt vault, it was all over. Everything was up to her.

For fourteen years, Kerri Strug had cared about almost nothing but gymnastics. She had worked hard. She had given up time with friends and family. She had battled through injuries and pain. Only one thing would make it all worth it: winning Olympic gold.

This was the moment shed been waiting for her whole life. Did she have what it takes?

You can do this, she told herself. You must do this.

The green light flashed.

Kerri began to run.