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Football
The United States Women’s National Soccer Team (USWNT) clinched a remarkable fifth Olympic gold on Saturday, 10 August, beating Brazil 1-0 in a tense affair.
For head coach Emma Hayes, it is the pinnacle of her career to date.
The British manager has won all there is to win in England during her Chelsea tenure, but nothing quite compares to leading the United States to gold.
“Chelsea has been my love,” she said. “Every trophy I won with that club is dear to me.
“But this professionally is probably much bigger than anything else I have ever done.”
Hayes believes she has “woken up the beast again”, after ending the USWNT’s 12-year wait for gold at the Games.
“I’m used to being in finals, I’m used to competing for trophies and so is the U.S. women’s national team,” she said.
“The mentality is why I love the country, it’s why I am made for it.”
Visibly emotional after the victory, Hayes kissed her American eagle necklace which she later revealed was a dedication to her late father.
“It has been a rough year,” Hayes told the media. “This time last year my dad was dying. I didn’t think I had the courage to come and do this.
“I felt him with me the whole performance. I just had a moment to myself to remind myself of what I’ve been through in my life, my career and to show gratitude to my parents – the people that matter the most.”
