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“It only lasts one minute, but it’s a good time”: When Venus Williams turned emotional about hearing…see more
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“It only lasts one minute, but it’s a good time”: When Venus Williams turned emotional about hearing US national anthem after winning gold at Olympics
Venus Williams became emotional while talking about hearing the US national anthem after winning two gold medals at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. One came in singles, and the other in doubles, where she teamed up with her younger sister Serena.
Venus is arguably one of the greatest Olympians in tennis history, holding a record number of medals with four golds and one silver. She is tied with Kathleen McKane Godfree, who has one gold, two silvers, and two bronzes. The American won her first two gold medals at the Sydney Olympics, then two more in Beijing 2008 and London 2012, before earning a silver in Rio 2016.Venus won the singles gold medal at the 2000 Summer Games by defeating Russia’s Elena Dementieva in the final. In doubles, she and her sister Serena brought glory to America by overcoming the Netherlands’ Kristie Boogert and
Miriam Oremans.
During the medal presentation ceremony following her doubles win, Venus Williams beamed as ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ played, closing her eyes for much of the song to savor the moment.Later, she shared her thoughts with the media (via ESPN):
“It only lasts one minute, but it’s a good time.”
The seven-time Grand Slam champion also said that winning doubles with Serena felt “bigger” than her singles win and stressed how meaningful it was to make history. Notably, they became the first sisters to win a gold medal in doubles.