Olympian who won first gold medal of Games attended O’Fallon junior high

The first person to win an Olympic gold medal in Rio de Janeiro this summer briefly lived in the metro-east.

Olympian Virginia “Ginny” Thrasher attended Fulton Junior High School for sixth and seventh grade, school secretary Julie Weiss said, as well as part of her eighth-grade year. Thrasher did not graduate from the O’Fallon school, though, according to Weiss.

The 19-year-old athlete’s gold medal is for shooting. On Saturday, Thrasher, who now lives in Springfield, Va., won the women’s 10-meter air rifle competition. She became the youngest woman ever to win the first gold medal of the Games.

Thrasher is currently a sophomore engineering student at West Virginia University, according to the college’s website. She is the daughter of Roger and Valerie Thrasher.

In an interview with the media via a teleconference Sunday afternoon, she said:

On the last 24 hours since winning the gold medal

“It’s been a pretty crazy 24 hours. It’s been insane to go from waking up at 5 a.m. yesterday morning, completing my normal pre-match routine, getting on the bus, going to the range and shooting what was a very difficult qualification round for me. Then, to have a final that was an honor to be a part of, win (the final) and stand on the podium and hear my nation’s anthem was a very pride-instilling moment for me.”

On the difficulties she faced in the 10m air rifle qualification relay

“My hold was very big in the qualifying round. It was taking a lot of energy, and I was really fighting it. I had to realize that all I could do what shoot the best I could with that I had that day. Even though my hold wasn’t that great, I could still shoot really well and try my best. That’s all I needed to do.”

On whether winning an Olympic gold medal will change her life

“I think that the exterior of your life changes, but who I am doesn’t change no matter what medals I win or how many medals I win. I am excited that I get to enjoy all the outcomes that come with a successful Olympic Games. It’s a really great opportunity for me to positively represent my country and my school.”

On whether her accomplishment has sunk in

“Oh, it definitely hasn’t sunk in yet. Holding that medal in my hands, looking at it and realizing it is still real is something I have to do every few minutes.”

Does she see herself as an underdog?

“People see the 3 percent of your performance which is in the spotlight. What they don’t see is the 97 percent when you are in the dark, working very hard.

“Anyone who truly knows me as an athlete and has been with me throughout my career – I don’t think it (winning the Gold medal) was all that surprising.”

On her level of awareness during the last few shots of the final

“I definitely knew that I just needed to keep shooting the best shot that I could. I was very focused on my breathing. Of course, outside, distracting thoughts about medals and other outcomes were coming into my head, but I was very good about just breathing through them and focusing on what I needed to do.

“Going into the last shot, I was just trying to shoot a 10.0 because I knew that’s what I needed.”

On what it means for her to win gold for the USA

“It instills a great sense of pride, especially being born and raised in (the United States of) America.”

On the support she has with her in Brazil

“My entire family came down – my parents and two older brothers. I got to see them today and take them around the Olympic Village. They are having a great time so far.”

This story was originally published August 11, 2016 at 4:11 PM with the headline "Olympian who won first gold medal of Games attended O’Fallon junior high."