Editor’s note: Olympic athletes often face moments where the difference of a fraction of a second can change their careers significantly. Jonathan Horton, a gymnast, fell just short of a gold medal in the high bar final at the 2008 Olympics due to a small misstep during his dismount, causing him to finish a mere .025 points behind the gold medalist. Despite missing out on the gold medal, Horton looks back on the experience positively, content with the opportunities and experiences he gained from the sport.
Simone Manuel, the first Black female swimmer to win an individual gold medal at the 2016 Olympics, emphasizes the importance of mindset and rigorous training in securing victory in close races. Manuel’s historic achievement has inspired many swimmers of color to pursue their dreams in the sport. Although Manuel faced challenges such as overtraining syndrome leading up to the Tokyo Olympics, her tie for first place in Rio will always be a defining moment in her career.
In track and field, Edwin Moses recounts the end of his 122-race winning streak in the 400-meter hurdles, highlighting the split-second nature of victories and defeats in sports. Despite losing to Danny Harris by .02 seconds in 1987, Moses went on to continue his legacy by establishing another impressive win streak and capturing more gold medals in his career.
Michael Phelps’s pursuit of eight gold medals at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing culminated in a thrilling victory over Milorad Cavic in the 100 butterfly, solidifying his status as one of the greatest Olympians of all time. Phelps’s coach, Bob Bowman, credits his attention to detail and focus on finishing correctly for the crucial split-second win that set Phelps apart in Olympic history.
Christian Smith’s dive across the finish line during the 2008 U.S. track trials secured his third-place finish in the 800-meter final, earning him an unexpected spot on the Olympic team. Despite being ranked outside the top 30 leading up to the trials, Smith’s determination and split-second decision to lunge for the finish line propelled him into the ranks of Olympic athletes.
Former gymnast Alicia Sacramone Quinn reflects on winning a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the criticism she faced following the team final. Despite the disappointment of not winning gold, Quinn has found fulfillment in her current role as the co-head of the U.S. women’s national team program, where she imparts valuable lessons on resilience and perspective to the athletes she mentors. She emphasizes that each competition, whether victorious or challenging, is just one chapter in an athlete’s larger story.
