An athlete’s journey to the Olympic and Paralympic Games can be arduous. But the thrill of making the cut and representing Team USA at the Olympic and Paralympic Games is one that cannot be replicated. These are stories about the athletes, their coaches, their supporters and others, telling about their journeys, their inspiration and more.
The U.S. Men’s Ice Hockey Team’s triumph at Lake Placid 1980 remains one of the greatest upsets ever in sports and broadcaster Al Michaels’ final call remains just as memorable.
Middle-distance runner is thankful that she has the opportunity to share her incredible experience from Rio 2016.
The first Black American archer to compete at the Paralympic Games, he was seeded 12th in the compound open tournament at Rio 2016 but captured the gold medal.
The only coach to guide teams to NBA and NCAA championships, the point guard helped Team USA win gold at the Tokyo 1964 Olympic Games.
A member of the Oglala Lakota from Pine Ridge, South Dakota, he posted one of the greatest upsets in Olympic history in the 10,000-meter run at Tokyo 1964.
At the Innsbruck 1984 Paralympic Winter Games, Bonnie St. John became the first Black American to medal in the Olympic or Paralympic Winter Games.
Starting with Rome 1960, he participated in five Paralympic Games and won 12 gold medals.
The gymnast wore her famous scrunchie in every big meet for six years to keep her hair out of the way and prevent it from distracting judges.
Peter Schifrin, a member of the 1984 U.S. Olympic Fencing Team, created a 400-pound bronze sculpture that will be sit inside the Museum.
An integral part of his community in Illinois, he would have been the last person to talk about his 11 gold medals.
The first person to repeat as an Olympic champion in the 100 meters, she felt strongly about her role as an activist.
In select company as one of the few deaf athletes ever to participate in the Olympic or Paralympic Games, she has won three gold medals, two silver and a bronze.
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