Nastia Liukin takes GOLD!!!

The atmosphere inside the National Indoor Stadium has been so exciting this week. It’s hard for me to describe it in words! This week we covered the Women’s Team All-Around Finals. China was America’s main competition. After vault, the U.S. Team was ahead. Both the U.S. and China had solid bar routines. But when the teams began competing on beam and China’s best girl fell, I thought the U.S. possibly had a chance to win the gold. However, you could have heard a pen drop when Alicia Sacramento, the first U.S. gymnast to perform on beam, fell off while mounting the beam! I felt so bad for her! Then she fell again on the floor! My eyes started filling up with tears, and, of course, as a professional journalist, I had to hold it inside. It’s just so emotional feeling so bad for this young girl, but also feeling so proud of the U.S. while they where receiving their silver medals. I couldn’t believe, at that moment, I was actually at the Olympics and watching the presentation of the medals and the flags!

Being in the broadcast mixed zone with NBC was incredible as well! I was able to see an NBC reporter in action, asking the girls questions, which was their first interview after competition.

That night a group of Mizzou students decided to go to the Today Show, where I met Matt, Meredith, Ann, and Al! The U.S. Women’s Gymnastics Team was on set that day, and I loved watching Meredith interview the girls.

Today was the Women’s Individual Competition. And as you’ve probably heard, Nastia Liukin won the gold, while Shawn Johnson came in a close second. There was so much talk about Shawn winning the gold, but Nastia nailed her unbelievably difficult bar and beam routines putting her in first place.

I was overwhelmed with excitement and overjoyed to watch the victory ceremony. While our national anthem was playing, I felt so touched. This is an unbelievable moment that I wish I could share with all of you. Nothing compares to actually witnessing this event. Again, I was holding back tears of joy; however, when I saw Meredith Vieira crying as well, I didn’t feel so bad. Working in the NIS is amazing, and I feel so fortunate and honored to have this unbelievable opportunity!

Sarah