Top five youngest USA athletes to win Olympics medal

Published at :August 18, 2024 at 11:16 PM

Modified at :August 18, 2024 at 11:16 PM

Dorothy Poynton-Hill is the youngest athlete to medal for the US.

The Olympics have always been a place where the world’s best athletes show off their amazing skills. While many competitors train for years before making it to the sporting mega event, some incredibly talented young people have won medals at young ages. The United States, known for its strong Olympic teams, has seen quite a few of these young champions over the years.

These young athletes not only compete against the best in the world but also have to deal with the stress of performing in front of a global audience while still being so young. Their stories show us how far talent, hard work and never giving up can take someone. From sports like diving to gymnastics, these young American Olympians have made their mark on sports history and inspired many other young athletes.

Let’s take a look at the five youngest US athletes to win Olympics medals:

5. Francine Fox- 15 years, 218 days

Francine Fox, along with her partner Glorianne Perrier, paddled their way to a silver medal in the K-2 500m kayak event at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.

Also read: USA athletes with most medals

4. Dominique Moceanu- 14 years, 298 days

Dominique Moceanu was the youngest member of the “Magnificent Seven,” the US women’s gymnastics team that won gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

This victory was historic, marking the first time the US had won the team gold in women’s gymnastics at a fully attended Olympics.

3. Kerri Strug- 14 years, 249 days

While Kerri Strug is best known for her heroic vault in the 1996 Atlanta Summer Games, her Olympic journey began four years earlier in Barcelona. At just 14-years-old, Strug was part of the US women’s gymnastics team that won bronze.

This early success set the stage for her memorable performance in Atlanta, where she helped secure the team gold medal despite competing with an injured ankle.

2. Marjorie Gestring- 13 years, 268 days

Marjorie Gestring holds the distinction of being the youngest known Olympic gold medalist in an individual event. At just 13-years-old, she won gold in the 3m springboard diving competition at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

Gestring’s victory was not just a personal triumph but also a moment of national pride during a politically charged Olympics. She continued her success in diving, winning multiple US national titles in the following years.

1. Dorothy Poynton-Hill – 13 years and 23 days

Dorothy Poynton-Hill made Olympic history as the youngest US Olympian, winning a silver medal in springboard diving at the 1928 Amsterdam Games at just 13 years and 23 days old.

Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, Poynton-Hill’s early success was a sign of things to come. She went on to claim gold in platform diving at both the 1932 Los Angeles and 1936 Berlin Olympics

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