I exhaled and felt the crowd's enthusiasm around me. I used what they were giving as my reason to be strong and help my team take home gold. I had this.
My teammates cheered my name from the sidelines where they stood, just like we had for each one before me. I chalked up one final time on my palms, thighs and feet, and then, I saluted the judges.
One minute and thirty seconds, and it would all be over.
My hands reached for the low bar, my hips swinging forward into a kip cast to a handstand. I stuck it for a second with my hips flat and toes pointed, then swung down into a back hip circle straight to a handstand again. I did this once more then brought my body down and around the bar for a second time. At the angle I'd been trained to release the bar, I did. The bar ricocheted as I reached for the high bar and swung up to a handstand. Switching my grip so it faced backwards for added difficulty points, I fell forward into a full giant and closed my eyes, feeling the wind against my cheeks and tasting the chalk in the air. I knew Kova would be standing right to the side ready to spot as I completed another pirouette holding my body stone still.
I swung down into a giant to gain momentum as Kova stepped closer. Tapping at the right timing, I hollowed out my chest and swung my body around, bringing my hips parallel to the bar and then whipping them as hard as I could into the air as I released the bar at the same time to fly backwards and over it in a pike position. Kova's arms went up as my body came down. I gripped the bar with all my might and moved swiftly into another release skill that we'd worked hard on. Nothing mattered but this routine and the way I felt as I soared through the air from bar to bar like a snowflake delicately drifting in the wind. My heart was on display, my undying love for bars and this sport, it was all there as I performed my routine. I did a total of three releases back-to-back when Kova stepped down and let me do my thing for a couple of seconds until he was standing there again, this time gearing up for my dismount.
I took a quick breath. This was it.
Licking my lips, I spotted the landing mat that had clouds of chalk on it.
My mind went back to my first day at World Cup.
To the excitement and hunger for this moment.
To the pain.
To the anger.
To the betrayal.
It all lead to right now.
My fingers tightened around the bar. Stuck handstands with flat hips and pointed toes, I could vaguely hear the exploding crowd as I circled the bar two and a half times gearing up for my dismount.
And then…
I let go.
Thirty-Five
The sudden silence from the crowd was thrilling. It was as if they held their breath with me. Slowly, like in slow motion, they came into view with every rotation and twist. They stood motionless as I squeezed my body and completed my last half twist. My heart spiraled as I descended and spotted the ground.
Feet together and knees slightly bent, I extended my arms in front of me and closed my eyes, knowing immediately how this would end.
Chalk floated up around my ankles as I squeezed every muscle to stick my dismount. The crowd erupted, breaking the quiet. I opened my eyes and raised my arms to salute the judges twice. My chest rose into the air as I dragged in a ragged breath, and I turned toward my team with a massive smile splayed across my face.
I knew in my heart that we had done it.
All three girls were waiting for me, jumping and chanting as I ran toward them with open arms. I was enveloped in group hugs and happy tears.
The four of us spoke at the same time, and we giggled.
"Do you think it's enough?"
"I'm going to be sick."
"What’s taking so long?"
Our questions and worries flew out of our mouths. We were currently holding first, but only by a thread. If I was given the full points for difficulty, my score would make it almost impossible for another team to beat us.
Tears streamed down my cheeks, and I held my breath, waiting, praying that we wouldn't get bumped to second. My score lit up the screen and my jaw dropped. Shock rendered me immobile.
I couldn't move. I was stunned, unable to do anything but stare and feel the chills wrack my arms. The fans exploded in a wild frenzy, and that got me in motion. My teammates and I hugged each other as happy tears fell down our cheeks. We were in a state of disbelief and total shock. Of course, we'd hoped and dreamed, but never imagined it would actually happen. It was absolute mania where we stood. The screen changed to show the current standings.
I blinked, and blinked, and blinked.
My jaw plummeted to the floor.
Team USA was in first place by a full three points now.
I looked around frantically, unable to control the abundance of feeling rushing through me. Happiness. Disbelief. Shock. My heart was in my throat. Cameras were everywhere. Their flashes reminded me of fireworks as excitement in the arena spread. There were still gymnasts who hadn't competed yet. The remaining teams were now fighting for silver and bronze, and they were aware of it. No team would be able to take the gold from USA.
I always thought the girls looked a little maniacal on television when they realized they'd won. Now I got it. This moment was worth every ounce of heartache I'd gone through. Whether it was from those I loved or due to my health, it was worth it.
I'd wanted this my whole life.
Gold. Team USA would win gold. I would win gold.
I held my chest. This wasn’t real. It was too good to be true. I tried to catch my breath and slow down my heartbeat when someone pulled me into a hug.
I didn't have to guess who it was. I knew the moment his hand touched me.
A smile spread across my lips. I threw my arms around his shoulders and jumped into him. My feet kicked up behind me as he snuggled me to his chest and hugged me tight. His happiness surrounded me.
Being in Kova's arms while Team USA took home gold was how it was meant to be.
My arms tightened around his shoulders, and my heart pounded so hard I was sure he could feel it against his chest. No one thought I'd make it this far, but he did. Reluctant at first, Kova was the only one who thought I had a fighting chance if I put the work into it. And I had.
My tears continued to flow as I cried in the curve of his shoulder. This moment was more than just winning gold.
"Congratulations, Adrianna," Kova whispered in my ear.
I clenched my eyes shut. Normally I'd step from his arms so bystanders didn't give us nosy stares, but I didn't care who saw us this time. This was something I never wanted to forget. I wanted to remember how this moment felt for me, Kova, and us. Plus, we were at the freaking Olympics! No one was going to say anything, especially when we looked just like other coaches and gymnasts.
"Is it real?" My voice shook as I asked. I didn't want to look and see that I'd made it up in my head.
Kova chuckled under his breath. "It is real, Malysh. Team gold, and you move onto the all-around tomorrow with the highest vault and bars scores of the Olympics. I think you will take floor too tomorrow."
My head popped up and I looked at him. I probably looked a little crazy with how wide my eyes were.
All I could do was respond with a dropped jaw.
Kova nodded, his gaze falling to my mouth then back to my eyes. He released me, but neither one of us moved. We were so close we were still touching.
"You did it," he said. There was a soft smile behind his eyes. "Even when the world was against you, you showed them how resilient you are. That is bravery not many are granted with. It is one of the things I love about you, you know. You are steadfast in the pursuit of your dream. You are so much stronger than you realize. Your willpower makes me look weak, but I aspire to have the heart and drive you do one day. I hope you are proud of what you have accomplished. I know I am."