Andrew Gastelum is an editor and writer at Sports Illustrated who specializes in soccer, the Olympics and international sports. He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and lives in Italy.
Originally not expected to compete, the Alaska native was a replacement in the U.S. road cycling team. But like much of her journey, it didn't take long for her to shine.
After winning in Tokyo, the Notre Dame graduate prevailed in an all-American final in Paris to become the first U.S. woman to earn consecutive Olympic titles in foil.
Though the concept of an international star coming to the States wasn’t unheard of, the Argentine’s arrival sent reverberating shockwaves around the sport on a level never seen before.
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