Kerri Strug vaulted into Olympic history with her courageous performance during the 1996 Olympic Games. Kerri landed an unforgettable vault on an injured ankle to help the U.S. clinch its first Olympic gold medal in the team gymnastics competition.

Currently a political appointee at the United States Department of Justice, Kerri’s gut-wrenching performance in Atlanta earned her fame well beyond the gymnastics world. She was featured on the cover of both Time and People magazines, appeared on television shows including “Beverly Hills 90210,” “Saturday Night Live,” and “Touched by an Angel,” as well as interviews on “The Today Show,” “Dateline,” and “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”

After graduating from Stanford University with her BA in Communications and an MA in Sociology, Kerri worked as a teacher in San Jose, California and authored two books, Heart of Gold and Landing on my Feet: A Diary of Dreams.

Despite her demanding schedule, Kerri has always volunteered her time and energy to a variety of charitable causes. She has served as a spokesperson for the Special Olympics and the Children’s Miracle Network and participated in projects with DARE, Pediatric AIDS, Make-a-Wish Foundation, and Childhelp. The Women’s Sports Foundation presented Kerri with the Reebok/Lady FootLocker Giving Back Award in recognition of her community efforts.

Although no longer in competitive gymnastics, she maintains involvement in the gymnastic community through work with parents, kids, and coaches throughout the country at various gymnastic camps and clubs.