Kerri Strug proved herself a champion at age 13

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_{1990 Star photo}

_{Kerri Strug at age 12.}

Strug had moved from her Tucson hometown to train with the noted trainer Bela Karolyi in Houston. When talking with a Star reporter about how she handles the homesickness, Strug said simply “I get through it.”

She was on the 1992 U.S. Women’s Gymnastic team at the Barcelona Olympics. The team placed third and brought home the bronze medal. A true competitor, Strug said “It’s special because it’s from the Olympics, but it’s not that great of a medal.”

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_{1992 Star files}

_{Strug accepts a bouquet on her return home after the Barcelona Olympics.}

She graduated from Green Fields Country Day School in 1996. She would go on to get her master’s degree from Stanford, but before that, she headed off to her second Olympics.

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_{AP photo}

_{Coach Bela Karolyi carried Strug from the medal stand after the ceremony.}

Strug was on the team for the 1996 Atlanta games. She captured the hearts of the world when in the women’s team final, she hurt her ankle on a critical vault. She scored a 9.712 on her second attempt, landing on a badly hurting ankle. She secured the gold for her team.

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_{2006 Star file photo}

_{Strug relaxes with friends in Washington, D.C.}

The Star wrote an update article on the gold medalist which ran in 2006. At that time, she was living in the Washington D.C. area and working at the Department of Justice. She is still recognized by many people and gives motivational speeches throughout the country.

Kerri Strug has written two books “Landing On My Feet” and “Heart of Gold.” For more information, she does maintain an official home page.