In 1996, the U.S. Women’s Team won the United States’ first Olympic team gold medal on July 23. Dubbed the Magnificent Seven, the women on the U.S. Women’s Team — Amanda Borden, Amy Chow, Dominique Dawes, Shannon Miller, Dominique Moceanu, Jaycie Phelps and Kerri Strug — lived up to their billing. Millions around the world witnessed the U.S. Team’s outstanding performances that built its lead over Russia in the team competition. Strug’s valiant landing on her second vault despite an injured ankle produced one of the Games’ lasting memories. Her 9.712 vault secured the U.S. Team’s clinching the gold medal with a 389.225 total, outscoring Russia and Romania. The Americans’ victory was considered phenomenal because they defeated the 1995 world champion Romanians, becoming the first non-Soviet bloc nation to win a team gold since 1950 in either the World Championships or Olympics.
In 1996, the U.S. Women’s Team won the United States’ first Olympic team gold medal on July 23. Dubbed the Magnificent Seven, the women on the U.S. Women’s Team — Amanda Borden, Amy Chow, Dominique Dawes, Shannon Miller, Dominique Moceanu, Jaycie Phelps and Kerri Strug — lived up to their billing. Millions around the world witnessed the U.S. Team’s outstanding performances that built its lead over Russia in the team competition. Strug’s valiant landing on her second vault despite an injured ankle produced one of the Games’ lasting memories. Her 9.712 vault secured the U.S. Team’s clinching the gold medal with a 389.225 total, outscoring Russia and Romania. The Americans’ victory was considered phenomenal because they defeated the 1995 world champion Romanians, becoming the first non-Soviet bloc nation to win a team gold since 1950 in either the World Championships or Olympics.