The most enduring image from the USA women’s gymnastics 2012 Olympic team wasn’t of gold-medal celebrating athletes or a stuck landing at the end of a championship routine.
It was one of self-doubt and disappointment.
It came courtesy of McKayla Maroney, undeniably the world’s best vaulter at the time, who nonetheless was denied a gold medal after she shockingly fell on her second attempt. Had she landed square, she would have won easily. She didn’t and had to settle for silver.
On the medal podium, Maroney briefly pouted her lips. Cameras snapped and the image was instantly hailed as her “not impressed” face.