women’s gymnasts after their gold medal in the 2016 team competition. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.Marta Karolyi hugs the U.S. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at for further information. She appealed the ban and won.Ĭopyright © 2008 NPR. But Ohuruogu argued she already served a 12-month suspension. She had missed three out of competition drug test and the British Olympic Committee banned her from the games for life.
LANGFITT: Ohuruogu almost didn't make it to Beijing. So, I will just continue along my journey, keep working hard and hopefully get some gold medals in the future. But like someone told me, success is a journey. SANYA RICHARDS (Olympics Bronze medalist): I am very disappointed. Britain's Christine Ohuruogu surged to take the gold and Richards settled for bronze. Favorite Sanya Richards looked poised to win but then fell behind in the final stretch. LANGFITT: The United States did not do as well in the women's 400 meters. women gymnast won eight medals in Beijing. LANGFITT: Johnson's teammate, Nastia Liukin, took silver in the balance beam. And I think this had her to feel that this is about herself and (unintelligible) real good. She was a little frustrated and, by not winning the (unintelligible). women's national team coordinator Martha Karolyi said winning gold was crucial for Johnson. I just - it was - it's the only thing, so I wanted to finish it up as best as I could. And I didn't think about what other girls had gotten or what the judges were going to give me. I mean, for the first time, I think, in this whole experience, I really just let everything go. But she said her coach helped her relax and just focus on the routine. LANGFITT: Johnson was fighting nerves before the competition. It just - it's, I would say, the perfect ending for the story. JOHNSON: Finally, I have the gold on my favorite event and the event that I worked so hard on. The 16-year-old from West Des Moines was glowing and all grin. LANGFITT: That's Johnson talking to reporters after the event. SHAWN JOHNSON (Olympic Gold Medalist): It feels amazing. And when she nailed her dismount, the crowd in Beijing's national indoor stadium sensed she would win the medal that had eluded her. She moved through a routine with confidence, landing solidly after each jump and flip. LANGFITT: But when she came out to compete, the 4'9" Johnson gave one of her signature power performances. And today, we had a little bit of rough warm up. LIANG CHOW (Coach): I would say there's a little bit more pressure on her shoulders. Her coach Liang Chow said before tonight's competition, Johnson had a headache and was shaking. But in event after event in Beijing, she kept coming up with silver. She was the world champ in the individual all around. NPR's Frank Langfitt has our story starting with the happy ending.įRANK LANGFITT: Shawn Johnson came to China as a favorite. The runner was ahead in the final stretch of the 400 meters, but then she faded and settled for bronze. It came on the balance beam in the game's final gymnastics competition.Īmerica's Sanya Richards did not fare as well.
After three silver medals, gymnast Shawn Johnson has finally won Olympic gold. First, it was a big day for two American women who came to Beijing with high hopes. I'm Michele Norris.Īnd in this segment, we head to the Olympics. From NPR News, this is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED.
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