Legends of the Olympic Games
After each Olympics, a group of athletes emerge as names you'll always remember. Thanks to their unbeatable performances, jaw-dropping finishes, and inspiring attitudes, they show us what a true Olympian looks like. Below, we share insight from some our favorite U.S. women in Olympic history.
Learn About the Olympic Legends
Q: What's your favorite Olympic moment of all time?
Summer Sanders: I have two: Mary Lou Retton winning gold in the all-around and seeing her smile after her amazing vault. And when Janet Evans handed the torch to Mohammed Ali at the '96 Games.
Lisa Leslie: When the gymnastics team won gold in 1996--that was pretty great. Dominique Dawes was my favorite, and she was at the top of her career. I also loved watching Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor win gold in Athens. I went to their match and it was an awesome moment.
Amy Van Dyken: Watching 14-year-old Amanda Beard win the silver medal in 1996. That was the highlight of everything for me. She went against what everyone thought should happen at those Games, and to see her little body motoring across the pool… it was unreal. And the person and athlete that she's become now is just amazing. [Beard just missed qualifying to her fifth consecutive Olympics at the 2012 Olympic swimming trials].
Julie Foudy: I covered the 2008 Olympics for NBC, so I'd say being there when Michael Phelps won his final gold. It was amazing to be able to witness such awesome-ness all at once. Also, when the 2008 women's soccer team won gold. The women lost their very first game to Norway and they had already lost Abby Wambach to injury. They had so many excuses to go into a downward spiral, but even without their star forward, they ended up winning. I was on the sidelines for that and it was so amazing to see them battle through that and persevere.
More Historic Summer Olympic Moments
Q: What was the most fun perk of being an Olympian?
Rebecca Lobo: Wearing the jersey. Or the T-shirt, shorts, etc. Every piece of clothing said "USA" and I was very proud to wear it. I knew that countless hours went into earning the honor of wearing that uniform.
Kerri Strug: Getting to meet the Dream Team at the 1992 Games. That was just awesome, and I was so excited. Also, meeting Carl Lewis and Janet Evans in Barcelona too--I got their autographs and took a photo with each of them.
Lisa Leslie: I would do this joke with my teammates at hotels, and call room service, asking if they had any complimentary ice cream for Olympians. We'd always get free ice cream! My teammates would get a real kick out of that.
Jennie Finch: Being able to say that you've competed on the largest sporting stage in the world. I have so many amazing memories from traveling the world and crisscrossing the USA on our softball tours before the Olympics to build awareness and support. One of the best things about having Olympic medals is sharing them-I'm proud to say thousands of young athletes have worn my medals. Having the opportunity to inspire others is the best perk of all.
Learn the 6 Pillars of Olympic Fitness
Q: Do you still think of yourself as a gymnast, swimmer, softball player, etc?
Shannon Miller: Yes, I guess in many ways I do. I will always think of myself as a gymnast, but I am also at an age and point in my life where I no longer feel the urge to jump in a leotard and compete. Maybe an occasional cartwheel or handstand, but no leotards!
Rebecca Lobo: When people ask me if I'm a basketball player, my answer is "I used to be." There's a big difference.
Laura Wilkinson: I do, and I think I always will. It was a huge part of my life, I learned so much from it, and I love it passionately! Diving is a small world. Apparently there aren't many people who fancy flipping and twisting off of three-story buildings, so I still feel very connected and will have a group of like-minded people that I will always share something with.
Amy Van Dyken: Not really. It's something that I did, not who I am. The gold medals are so awesome and I'm so privileged to have been able to win them, but at the same time, they're just pieces of metal at the end of the day. Now I'm just Amy from the block.
Get a Body Like Your Favorite Olympian
Q: What would you tell the current Olympians?
Kerri Strug: Do what you've been practicing. You're very talented and mentally tough. You're in the best shape of your life, now it's just time to perform. Do whatever you can to relax and not think about everything else going on around you.
Shannon Miller: Focus! This is not the time to get sidetracked. Put the blinders on; stay focused and train smart.
Lisa Leslie: Contain your energy and excitement. Bottle it in as much as you can. Try not to go there as a spectator, and keep the job you have in mind. I've been to four Olympics, and I've only been to one or two events besides basketball. Now is my time to finally enjoy it, not when I was playing.
Jennie Finch: Enjoy it! Soak it up, it's truly magical! Be you. You've earned it and now it's your chance to shine!
More: Read the entire 8-part Olympic Legends series
TELL US: What's beenyourfavorite moment of the London Olympics?
--by Amy Van Deusen, Women's Health
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