First Gold Medal In Rio Olympic Games Goes To WVU Student | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Sports

First Gold Medal In Rio Olympic Games Goes To WVU Student

A 19-year-old wins gold.

28
First Gold Medal In Rio Olympic Games Goes To WVU Student
wvgazettemail.com

The torch was lit and the fireworks burst in the air as the opening ceremony marked an official start to the Summer Olympics this past Friday night in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. The first gold medal of the 2016 Summer Olympic Games was not only from Team U.S.A., but a college student.

Ginny Thrasher, a sophomore at West Virginia University, clinched the first gold medal of the Olympic Games in the women’s 10-meter air rifle Saturday morning. The 19-year-old quickly became a NCAA champion in her freshman year at WVU.

It wasn’t a well-known athlete like Serena Williams or Michael Phelps who brought in that first gold for Team U.S.A. but a college athlete. Thrasher is a young student and is one out of 554 representing the U.S.A. in this Olympics.

With the fall semester approaching, Thrasher tells USA Today, "I get home 20 hours before the first class. So I'll be in physics at 8:30 a.m."

She may be superwoman. Unlike the rest of us, she won't just be your average college student. She'll be a sophomore with a Gold medal.

On her shooting team she was one of 20 athletes. Du Li and Yi Siling of China won the silver and bronze medals in this event. Thrasher’s teammate, Sarah Scherer, of Massachusetts, placed 8th.

The diversity of the Olympic Games is extreme. There is a large amount of young athletes some as young as 16 years old competing for Gold.

Four of the 'Final Five' U.S. gymnastics team is under 21 years old. If you turn on a swimming event, there's a chance you can find a 30-year-old competing alongside a 19-year-old. The hard work that goes into training and qualifying for such an elite competition like the Olympics is outstanding, especially for a 16-year-old like Gymnast Laurie Hernandez.

In just a few short minutes of an Olympic event, the audience understands: anything is possible.

Tune into the Summer Olympics to catch more U.S.A. wins until the closing ceremony August 21st.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

10 Things To Know About The First Semester Of College

10 things that most incoming college freshmen have no idea about.

598
campus
Pexels

Starting college is pretty scary and fun at the same time. You are free of your parents(in most cases) but this is the first time you have no idea what the heck is going on. Here are 10 things you may want to know going into your first semester.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The Daily Struggles of Being a College Commuter

It's not all morning coffees and singing along to the radio.

1345
The Daily Struggles of Being a College Commuter
morethanwheels

I've been in college for four years now. I spent half my time as a commuter and half as a resident so I've experienced both sides of the housing spectrum. One thing I've learned comparing the two is that my struggles as a commuter far outweigh anything I went through while living on campus. Commuters have to deal with the problems school brings along with a slew of other issues; I've filled up my gas tank in the worst kind of weather conditions and napped in random places in public more times than I'm proud to say of. This is a list of some of the most challenging aspects of being a commuter.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

15 Times Michael Scott's Life Was Worse Than Your Life

Because have you ever had to endure grilling your foot on a George Foreman?

4035
Michael Scott
NBC

Most of the time, the world's (self-proclaimed) greatest boss is just that, the greatest. I mean, come on, he's Michael Freakin' Scott after all! But every once in a while, his life hits a bit of a speed bump. (or he actually hits Meredith...) So if you personally are struggling through a hard time, you know what they say: misery loves company! Here are 15 times Michael Scott's life was worse than your life:

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

12 Midnight NYE: Fun Ideas!

This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

18062
Friends celebrating the New Years!
StableDiffusion

When the clock strikes twelve midnight on New Year's Eve, do you ever find yourself lost regarding what to do during that big moment? It's a very important moment. It is the first moment of the New Year, doesn't it seem like you should be doing something grand, something meaningful, something spontaneous? Sure, many decide to spend the moment on the lips of another, but what good is that? Take a look at these other suggestions on how to ring in the New Year that are much more spectacular and exciting than a simple little kiss.

Keep Reading...Show less
piano
Digital Trends

I am very serious about the Christmas season. It's one of my favorite things, and I love it all from gift-giving to baking to the decorations, but I especially love Christmas music. Here are 11 songs you should consider adding to your Christmas playlists.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments