Two gymnasts, Dominique Moceanu and Kerri Strug, strive for gold at the Atlanta Games. Dominique falls on vault, leaving Kerri to bring home the gold. The podcast explores their journey, coaching dynamics, and the pressure on Dominique. It also delves into the influence of renowned coach Bella Coroli and includes hotlines for sexual assault support.
Dominique Moceanu's fall on vault at the 1996 Olympics put immense pressure on Kerri Strug to win gold.
Despite injuries, Kerri Strug's dramatic final vault secured the team gold medal for the United States, making her a national hero.
Deep dives
The Return of Bella Coroli
Bella Coroli, a renowned coach, comes out of retirement to train a young gymnast named Dominique Mochianu for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.
High Expectations and Pressure
Despite her young age, Dominique is compared to Olympic champion Nadia Comaneci and becomes the youngest national champion in the history of the United States. Bella and his wife Marta set their sights on the 1996 Olympics, with Dominique and another gymnast, Carrie Strugg, leading the team.
Triumph and Controversy at the Olympics
At the Atlanta Olympics, Dominique falls twice during her vault, leading to a sense of disappointment and abandonment from Bella and Marta. In a dramatic turn of events, Carrie Strugg, despite injuring her ankle during her vault, manages to secure the team gold medal for the United States, becoming a national hero.
Pulled back onto the world gymnastics stage by the precocious talent of their newest protege, Dominique Moceanu, Bela and Martha are all in on winning gold at the Atlanta Games. But when Dominique falls on vault, everything rides on the shoulders of Bela’s long-overshadowed veteran, Kerri Strug, to bring home the gold.
If you or someone you know has been subjected to sexual assault or abuse, and you would like more information or support, these hotlines can help: RAINN's 24/7 confidential national sexual assault hotline: 1-800-656-4673, or ChildHelp: 1-800-4-A-Child.