Beating what many said were impossible
odds in one of the biggest upsets in Olympic history,
Laura Wilkinson, starting in 8th place and with a broken
foot, came from behind to win the 2000 Olympic Platform
Gold Medal. Laura
Wilkinson is the only woman in history to win a gold
medal in every major world competition in platform diving
- 2000 Olympic Games, 2004 World Cup and 2005 World
Championships. Laura is also the only American diver
in history to win a Goodwill Games gold medal. She has
won two NCAA Division 1 titles, eight NCAA All-American
Honors and 19 United States National titles. Laura was
voted by the American public the 2000 US Olympic Spirit
Award winner, was twice a finalist for the AAU Sullivan
award, and was nominated for an ESPY in 2000 for Female
US Olympic Athlete of the Year.
People always notice something that sets Laura apart
from her competitors, her smile. She smiles during the
most pressure-packed and fierce competitions, almost
like she’s removed from the situation, acknowledging
her family and teammates in the stands. Laura explains,
“I smile because I love what I do. I make a commitment
before the competition to enjoy the experience however
it turns out."
Laura's passion for the sport of diving goes well beyond
her love of training and competition. She dreams of
seeing the USA re-emerge as
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