In light of the announcement of Shawn Johnson’s return to prime-time television, it’s only appropriate that our “Throwback Thursday” is dedicated to this inspiring “Peanut.”

 

Shawn Johnson was one of only two gymnasts to win a gold medal for Team USA at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China. But, before she stood atop the podium accomplishing the feat that every athlete dreams of, all that glittered was not gold; it was silver.

 

Johnson and Team USA did what they could, but it was clear that China was the best team on the day of team finals and the Americans took home a silver medal. Shaking off the team defeat, Johnson looked forward to competing as an individual in the all-around, floor, and balance beam event finals. 

Source: Harry How/Getty Images AsiaPac
 

First up, was the individual all-around final. However, the coveted title of “Olympic All-Around Champion” was not in the cards for Johnson that day. Fellow American teammate, Nastia Liukin, won the gold medal and subsequently the title, while Johnson took home her second silver medal.

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With high hopes, Johnson headed into the floor finals, looking to capture an event title. After performing a nearly flawless routine, Johnson thought, “this could be it!” Yet again, it wasn’t meant to be. By a mere fifteen hundredths of a point (0.15), Shawn Johnson, landed at second best behind Romania’s Sandra Izbasa.
 

Source: Zimbio

After a grueling 20-day competition schedule, a slightly worn-down Shawn Johnson headed to her favorite event and her final chance to win gold: balance beam. After the five competitors before her made numerous mistakes, disintigrating under the immense pressure, a window of opportunity opened. Relying on the countless hours of training leading up to that very moment, Johnson let her mind go blank and put her body on auto-pilot as she performed her last routine, on her last day of competition for the 2008 Olympics. Impeccably, Johnson executed the highest scoring beam routine for the entire Olympics, with a 16.225. But, her biggest competitor and fellow teammate, Nastia Liukin, had yet to perform. Everyone in the world their held breath as Liukin floated across the beam, elegant and solid. In the longest moment of her life, Shawn Johnson anxiously waited for judges to flash her teammates score, and finally she saw it: 16.025. 

 

Shawn Johnson’s consistency and indomitable spirit propelled her through the final hour to win a gold medal moment of her very own.