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By Sam Garcia
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Thirty years ago, the U.S. women’s and men’s artistic gymnastics teams made history at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia and created a pathway to gold for today's Olympic gymnasts.
USA Gymnastics will now honor the two teams for their accomplishments as part of the 2026 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships in Phoenix, Arizona on Saturday, Aug. 8 and Sunday, Aug. 9 at the Mortgage Matchup Center.
"Magnificent Seven" Win Team Gold for First Time in History
The "Magnificent Seven" women's team won Olympic gold for the first time in history in 1996, and Kerri Strug pulled off one of the most iconic moments in Olympics history to secure the victory for the team. On her second attempt after injuring her ankle on the first attempt, Strug landed a vault on one foot that clinched the gold medal for Team USA.
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Strug was joined by Amanda Borden (captain), Amy Chow, Dominique Dawes, Shannon Miller, Dominique Moceanu and Jaycie Phelps on the team that year. All seven have been inducted into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame as individuals and were inducted as a team in 1998.
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Since then, Team USA has won three more women's team Olympic gold medals, including at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
“The U.S. women winning their first team gold on home soil had an incredible impact on the trajectory of the sport,” USA Gymnastics President & CEO Kyle Albrecht said. “With an individual medalist and a team of athletes who impacted the sport for generations, the men likewise have an enduring legacy. We look forward to honoring both teams in Phoenix, where fans can welcome their heroes during a landmark anniversary year.”
Men's Captain Jair Lynch Blazed a Trail for Black U.S. Athletes
In addition to the women's team winning gold for the first time in history, the men's team captain Jair Lynch became the first Black U.S. athlete to win an Olympic medal in men’s artistic gymnastics in 1996.
Lynch won a silver medal on the parallel bars.
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Lynch was joined by Mihai Bagiu, John Macready, John Roethlisberger, Kip Simons, Chainey Umphrey and Blaine Wilson on the team in 1996. That year, the men's team finished in fifth place.
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