She never thought it would happen.
Kim Rhode of the US shooting team is still in shock after winning a gold medal in women’s skeet over the weekend, making her the first American athlete to win an individual medal five Olympic games in a row.
“I don’t think you ever really think you’re the best in your event,” Rhode told Metro in an exclusive interview. “When I started, I was 10 years old and it was something that was passed down generationally and it just grew. And suddenly, you’re on your fifth Olympics. It’s mind-boggling.”
But that’s not all — Rhode, 33, broke the Olympic record of 93 with her score of 99 and tied the world record.
She also now holds the most gold medals — 3 — of any female shooter.
And she did it all in the rain
“We expected the weather to be tough, we knew it was going to be cloudy,” she said. “We tried to train in those conditions as much as possible.”
Now, after a whirlwind weekend, she has some time to think about what to do with those five medals.
“I have them in a case and so stones I pull them out and let little kids wear them and help them realize that they can achieve their goals,” she explained. “when I’m 80, what’s a shiny medal gonna do me. It’s better to see the kids’ faces when they’re holding them.”
Rhode also offered some advice to fellow Olympians who are still trying to win gold for themselves.
“Enjoy the small things and have fun with it,” she said. “They should really try to do as much as they can and experience and take in all of what the Olympics means and has to offer.”
