The moment you win gold at the Olympics
When you realize all that hard work paid off...
By
Lauren Hansen
Published
(Image credit: The Associated Press)

Rafaela Silva of Brazil wins the host country's first gold, in judo, on Aug. 8, 2016.
(Image credit: (REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach))

Davit Chakvetadze of Russia wins gold in Greco-Roman wrestling on Aug. 15.
(Image credit: (REUTERS/Issei Kato))

Team USA wins the gold in the women's team gymnastics final on Aug. 9.
(Image credit: (REUTERS/Mike Blake))

Usain Bolt of Jamaica wins gold in the 100-meter dash on Aug. 15.
(Image credit: (REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson))

Elena Vesnina and Ekaterina Makarova of Russia win gold in doubles tennis on Aug. 14.
(Image credit: (REUTERS/Toby Melvill))

Emilie Andeol (right) of France beats Idalys Ortiz (left) of Cuba to win the gold in judo on Aug. 12.
(Image credit: (REUTERS/Murad Sezer))

The men's foil team of Russia wins gold in fencing on Aug. 12.
(Image credit: (REUTERS/Issei Kato))

Simone Manuel of USA wins gold in the 100-meter freestyle on Aug. 11.
(Image credit: (REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth))

Andy Murray of Great Britain wins gold in tennis singles on Aug. 14.
(Image credit: (REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque))

Rusian Nurudinov of Uzbekistan wins gold in the men's 105kg weightlifting.
(Image credit: (REUTERS/Stoyan Nenov))

Elaine Thompson of Jamaica wins gold in the 100-meter dash on Aug. 13.
(Image credit: (AP Photo/David J. Phillip))

Martin Sinkovic and Valent Sinkovic of Croatia win the gold in men's double sculls rowing on Aug. 11.
(Image credit: (REUTERS/Patrick Smith/Pool))

Katinka Hosszu of Hungary wins the gold in the 200-meter individual medley on Aug. 9.
(Image credit: (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images))

Sopita Tanasan of Thailand wins the gold in women's 48 kg weightlifting on Aug. 6.
(Image credit: (REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach))

Michael Phelps of USA waves to the crowd after his team won gold in the 4 x 100-meter medley relay on Aug. 13. The medley was Phelps' last Olympic race.
(Image credit: (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell))
Sign up for The Week’s free daily newsletter, Today’s Best Articles
Join 350,000+ subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Lauren Hansen produces The Week’s podcasts and videos and edits the photo blog, Captured. She also manages the production of the magazine's iPad app. A graduate of Kenyon College and Northwestern University, she previously worked at the BBC and Frontline. She knows a thing or two about pretty pictures and cute puppies, both of which she tweets about @mylaurenhansen.