Athletes train their entire lives to make it to the Olympics and then only dream of winning a gold medal. To ensure her dream came true, Bahamian sprinter Shaunae Miller, literally threw herself over the finish line.
American runner Allyson Felix was the favorite to win the 400-meter dash, but Miller crushed her hopes with a controversial tactic. Running neck-and-neck, Miller opted for a last-minute dive across the finish line. The controversial, yet totally legal, move earned her a gold medal, while Felix had to settle for silver.
DID YOU SEE THIS FINISH?!@Hey_ItsShaunae dives to beat out @AllysonFelix in the 400m?. https://t.co/LJf9pvPIbV https://t.co/o3SIQikYeP
— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) August 16, 2016
Social media quickly jumped on the chance to turn the dramatic moment into clever memes.
My new strategy for winning Olympic Gold. #Rio2016 #ShaunaeMiller pic.twitter.com/pbVxJeJ9UT
— Michael Yerxa (@mikeyerxa) August 16, 2016
When your mother said be home before the streetlights come on and you just make it in the door #ShaunaeMiller pic.twitter.com/ht5nTUuAKy
— Kapo Sports (@BigKapo121) August 16, 2016
https://twitter.com/MatthewKick/status/765417623068798976
When your phone is at 1 % and you finally found an outlet ? #Rio2016 #ShaunaeMiller pic.twitter.com/xihjEFfVrj
— sxnke (@sxnke) August 16, 2016
When it's free to get into the club before 12 and its 11:59:59 pic.twitter.com/rVGHGVqoqw
— CaliKing10000 (@TheeBrandon_R) August 16, 2016
"You mean I could've DOVE????" pic.twitter.com/lUJPDjfsjn
— Rosebar Johnny (@Trap_Jesus) August 16, 2016
When you submit a paper on Turnitin at 11:59 pm pic.twitter.com/bz3uhbIMPn
— Not My President (@KingFavre) August 16, 2016
yuk yuk yuk you wily internet comedians!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/W8KLwc9pnw
— Claire McNear (@claire_mcnear) August 16, 2016
Me in the Olympics pic.twitter.com/6u1wDPTinB
— BRIANA??? (@briasoboojie) August 16, 2016
https://twitter.com/OscarGambler/status/765370602429435908?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
.@desusnice pic.twitter.com/MrBXTdvzhx
— Steve McPherson (@steventurous) August 16, 2016
Felix, however, was not laughing. It took her nearly an hour after her loss to talk to reporters. “I’m a competitor. I went for it. At the moment,” she said at the time.
“It’s just painful. I feel emotionally and physically drained at this point…Just disappointment, you know. I don’t think I’ve quite had a year this tough. I just really wanted it.”
She was in better spirits the next morning, as her silver medal now makes her the most decorated American female track & field athlete.
Meanwhile, Miller is celebrating her win and even admits she’s never used the dive method prior to the race.
“I’ve never done it before. I have some cuts and bruises, a few burns… it hurts,” Miller said.
“When I was on the ground I didn’t know I’d won. I still don’t know how it happened. What was in my mind was I had to get a gold medal. The next thing I was on the ground. It’s an amazing feeling.”
Hey, desperate times call for desperate measures. Congratulations on your gold medal, Miller. Better yet, thanks for the memes!
