For Kerri Walsh Jennings, the most decorated beach volleyball Olympian of all time, there is no doubting the personal drive she has had throughout her illustrious career to achieve such accomplishments.
But like many Olympians before her, and those now competing at the Paris 2024 Games, Walsh Jennings immediately sensed, at her first Games in Athens 2004, that she was competing for more than just herself.
And although she did not compete in Paris this year, Walsh Jennings felt a strong patriotism from the athletes she met and observed during her time abroad.
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Kerri Walsh Jennings attends the Parity Paris show at Opéra Garnier on July 28, 2024 in Paris, France. (Julien M. Hekimian/Getty Images)
“I did it. It's something special,” Walsh Jennings told Fox News Digital when asked if he felt pride for the United States in Paris. “You see Scottie Scheffler when he won, and you see the U.S. basketball team, and they're celebrities of the game. They're very moved to represent the United States.”
Walsh Jennings even pointed out that Serbian Novak Djokovic, winner of 24 Grand Slam titles in tennis, was overwhelmed with emotions after winning the gold medal in men's singles.
It means a lot to each athlete to bring home the coveted medals for their country, but after securing three golds and a bronze for her career, Walsh Jennings believes it is very different to represent the Stars and Stripes.
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“I think in the Olympic movement, Team USA is a benchmark and I think we're a goal to aspire to around the world,” she said. “The United States is a benchmark and I think that's a responsibility that I don't take lightly or take for granted.”
Walsh Jennings was the center of attention during her three-time women's beach volleyball championship with partner Misty May-Treanor. The dynamic duo was a star at the Olympics and Walsh Jennings understood the responsibility of increased media coverage and celebrity status: she wanted to take home the gold.
Of course, any athlete would want to put that accomplishment on their personal bucket list. But Walsh Jennings said she wasn't just thinking about herself all those times she wore the word “USA” on her jersey on the court.
Gold medallists Misty May-Treanor (L) and Kerri Walsh Jennings celebrate on the podium during the women's beach volleyball medal ceremony on day 12 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Horse Guard's Parade on August 8, 2012 in London, England. (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
“For me, something that just bolstered my spirit and my resilience was the fact that I was honored to have the opportunity to represent our country,” she said. “Every time I stepped onto the court at the Olympics, I invited in my spirit and heart my country to be with me. All of the service members that represent us, all of my family, my ancestors. Everyone that helped me get there, and I brought them with me in my heart, and that's a very important thing.
“Being able to represent my country and put my hand on my heart and listen to our anthem three times with Misty, and being able to fight for bronze with April [Ross]”That was amazing.”
Walsh Jennings also believes the Olympics remind Americans, whether they are athletes at the Games or cheering on those who represent them, that American pride is something that should never be abandoned.
“It's okay to be proud of where you come from,” he said. “No country is perfect. Embrace the good, and when I look at that, [American] The flag of our country is not our politics, it is our people and our spirit. I think that is demonstrated in the Olympic Games.
Olympians Kerri Walsh Jennings and Summer Sanders speak on stage at the U.S. House at Paris 2024 on July 27, 2024, in Paris, France. (Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for USOPC.)
“Team USA always wins a lot of medals, and there are a lot of displays of courage and resilience and everything that makes America. The players and the athletes seem to know that, and I'm proud of that.”
The pride of taking home Olympic medals will be even greater in 2028, when the Summer Games return to Los Angeles.
“Santa Monica was the destination,” said Walsh Jennings, who partnered with Santa Monica Travel & Tourism ahead of the men's and women's beach finals in Paris. “The sand is deep, it's very clean and it's just where you want to be because all the great athletes played there, trained there and turned it around there. For me, as a young, up-and-coming athlete, Santa Monica was a big part of the path to becoming great. Looking ahead to 2028, I know we're going to have four incredible teams representing our country.”
Walsh Jennings hopes those men and women can step up to the podium, place their hand over their heart and enjoy the national anthem with the gold hanging around their necks like she did. It's raw emotion in those moments, knowing you've made yourself and your country proud.
Kerri Walsh Jennings of the United States celebrates winning bronze during the women's beach volleyball bronze medal match against Larissa Franca Maestrini and Talita Rocha of Brazil on day 12 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Beach Volleyball Arena on August 17, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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She may not be competing, but Walsh Jennings is proud of her heritage and will always support those who fly her flag.
“For me, the Olympic spirit is what defines me. And so is the American spirit,” she said.
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