PARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 5: Simone Biles of Team United States poses with her Paris 2024 Olympic candidate … (+)
Millions of people have been glued to their screens, watching endless competitions to see who will make it to the podium. Winning an Olympic or Paralympic medal is the pinnacle of an athlete’s career – a moment marked by years of tireless training, sacrifice and a relentless drive to excel, usually away from the watchful eyes of the public. But what happens in those fleeting moments when victory sinks in, and how do these athletes spend their first 24 hours as medalists? Eight Olympic and Paralympic athletes reflect on the emotions that ran through them and how they celebrated their extraordinary achievements.
Carly Patterson is the all-around champion at the 2004 Olympic Games and a member of USA Gymnastics … (+)
Carly Patterson (USA Gymnastics): A dream come true
Winning the gold medal for gymnast Carly Patterson was a surreal experience filled with disbelief and elation. “All the years of hard work, failures, wins, losses, good days and bad days were running through my head and I just thought, ‘Oh my God, is this true? You did it, you’re the best in the world!'” Patterson recalls.
The first few hours were filled with interviews, including a memorable one with Bob Costas, where exhaustion and excitement blended together. Despite the win, Patterson’s focus quickly turned to her next competition. The next morning, she was back in training. “I put the win to one side, refocused, and focused on the balance beam final.”
Lindsay Tartly Snow is a two-time Olympic champion in women’s soccer.
Lindsay Tarpley Snow (USA Soccer): A dream come true
For soccer star Lindsay Tarpley Snow, winning Olympic gold was the surreal fulfillment of a lifelong dream. “I felt joy, happiness, but also relief that all the preparation had led to the result that I had dreamed of for so long,” says Tarpley Snow. The celebration was full of pure emotion, surrounded by teammates, family and friends.
The after-party at the USA House was a highlight for Tarpley Snow, as it gave her an authentic and unfiltered moment of joy. Being with those who had supported her from the beginning made the win even more special.
Aaron Phipps will compete at the Paralympic Games in Paris to defend his wheelchair gold medal … (+)
Aaron Phipps (Wheelchair Rugby Great Britain): A long-awaited triumph
Aaron Phipps, a Paralympic gold medalist in Tokyo who is competing in Paris, vividly remembers the thrill of finally winning after years of close calls. “We always finished fourth or fifth in every tournament,” Phipps says. But in Tokyo, they weren’t just competing for a medal; they were winning everything. The euphoria was beyond anything he could have imagined. “When you’ve never won anything and now you have the gold medal, it’s an incredible feeling.”
Phipps couldn’t sleep that night as the reality of their victory sank in. “I woke up every three hours thinking, ‘We won. This is unbelievable.'” The team celebrated with champagne and beer, even during lockdown. Despite his exhaustion, Phipps was camera-ready at 4am in Tokyo to give a British prime-time interview, adding a humorous touch to the experience. “It was hilarious and unbelievable,” he recalls.
Caryn Davies and her teammates won two gold medals in a row in rowing.
Caryn Davies (USA Rowing): From exhaustion to elation
For rower Caryn Davies, winning the Olympic gold medal in Beijing and London triggered conflicting emotions. In Beijing, she was too exhausted to celebrate immediately. “It took several minutes for the excruciating pain in my legs and lungs to subside,” Davies recalls. When the pain subsided, she was overcome by a feeling of warmth and contentment.
In London, the pressure to defend her title was enormous, which resulted in a feeling of relief above all else. “My first thought after crossing the finish line was, ‘Thank God we didn’t mess it up!'” says Davies. A surprising craving for Coca-Cola, triggered by the ubiquitous advertising, gave her thoughts after the win an amusing twist. A fond memory from Beijing is when her brother lifted her onto his shoulders and ran through the spectator area shouting, “My sister just won gold!” She spent the evening with her family, reflecting on the trip, and woke up the next morning still in awe of the gold medal on the bedside table next to her. “How I wish that feeling would last! Unfortunately, it was gone after just a few days.”
Ismael Hernández won the bronze medal in the modern pentathlon at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
Ismael Hernandez (Mexican pentathlon): A moment of national pride
Olympic pentathlete Ismael Hernandez experienced a whirlwind of emotions when he realized he had won. “Elation, pride and relief” are the words he uses to describe the moment. “I remember holding the medal in my hands and feeling its weight, a tangible reminder of my hard work.” The win was a testament to years of hard work and sacrifice, not only from Hernandez, but from everyone who supported him. “My first words after crossing the finish line: ‘We did it.'”
The first 24 hours were filled with media interviews, celebrating with teammates and sleepless excitement. “I felt immense pride for my country, knowing that I had represented my country on the biggest stage in the world and brought home a medal.” As the adrenaline began to wear off, Hernandez found time to reflect on the meaning of his achievement and the next chapter of his life.
Joe Jacobi won the gold medal in canoe/kayak at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona.
Joe Jacobi (USA Canoe/Slalom): An unexpected crown
For Joe Jacobi, the 1992 Olympic canoe champion, the victory came as an unexpected surprise. “Even 32 years later, I keep thinking that we weren’t aiming to win,” Jacobi recalls. Together with his canoe partner Scott Strausbaugh, they focused on implementing their plan and doing their best.
The realization of their victory brought an overwhelming adjustment. “It was like someone gave you a crown and a cape and you thought: ‘What do I do with this?'” Jacobi recalls. He spent the first 24 hours in La Seu d’Urgell, far from the hustle and bustle of Barcelona, relaxing and resting. The weight of the victory led to self-reflection: “What does this mean for us? What does this mean for the sport? What does this mean for me?”
Michiel Bartman won three Olympic medals during his rowing career.
Michiel Bartman (Dutch Rowing): The sweetness of success
Michiel Bartman, a three-time Olympic medalist, remembers the intensity of the race that helped him win his first gold medal in 1996. “We had such a dominant season that winning was the only option,” Bartman recalls. But as they crossed the finish line, he was overcome by a mixture of pain and joy. Celebrations followed as teammates and supporters swam to meet them, and the Dutch Crown Prince, now King, was the first to hug him.
The next 24 hours were a blur of interviews, celebrations at Holland House and a break from the rigours of a sportsman’s life. It was time to let go and enjoy the hard-fought victory.
Susan Katz (USA Wheelchair Basketball): A celebration of teamwork and gratitude
For Paralympic gold medalist Susan Katz, the moment the siren sounded brought a wave of joy, pride and overwhelming gratitude. Winning with her team made the victory even more special as she thought of the unwavering support that had been with her through the ups and downs of her training and competition. Katz knew immediately that all the sacrifice and hard work to achieve this life-long goal had been worth it.
She spent the first 24 hours enjoying the victory with her family and teammates. After the medal ceremony, Katz had the opportunity to celebrate briefly with her family before returning to the Paralympic Village where the celebrations continued with her teammates from Team USA. The next day, the excitement continued until the Closing Ceremony, allowing her to fully enjoy the party and the culmination of an incredible journey.
A universal truth of victory
Winning an Olympic or Paralympic medal is a once-in-a-lifetime experience filled with intense emotions, deep reflection and unforgettable celebrations that last all night long. Whether it’s the sheer joy, the relief of seeing a lifelong dream come true or those quiet moments of self-reflection, each athlete’s journey highlights their resilience, dedication and the profound impact of achieving greatness on the world’s biggest stage.
