The Olympic motto “Citius, Altius, Fortius”, is Latin for “Faster, Higher, Stronger”. Every athlete strives to overcome their own limits, but it is Olympic history that is most full of athletes who have accomplished truly extraordinary mental and physical feats.
U.S. gymnast Kerri Strug is one example. In the 1996 Atlanta Games, Strug fell when making her first vault in the team competition final. She severely injured her ankle. Despite being in immense pain, Strug completed her second vault and secured the gold medal. Reflecting on the experience, Strug said “The gold medal changed the trajectory of my life, gave me confidence and made me mentally stronger”.
