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Outlook: The legendary goalkeeper forced to pawn her gold medals

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Briana Scurry

10/08/2022 GMT

The legendary goalkeeper forced to pawn her gold medals

BBC World Service - Outlook, The legendary goalkeeper forced to pawn her gold medals

Briana Scurry knew she was destined to win Olympic gold then one game changed everything

Briana Scurry knew it was her destiny to win Olympic gold and in 1996 she did it.  Things were turning out just as she planned, but then one game changed everything.

Goalkeeper Briana Scurry knew at eight years old it was her destiny to win Olympic gold – and in 1996 she did. That was just the beginning: she won the World Cup and another Olympics with the US Women's National Soccer Team.  Briana made history on and off the pitch as one of the few African American women on the national side and the only openly gay player on the team. But in 2010 a knee to the head changed her life. Incapacitated by pain and unable to work, Briana spiralled into depression and debt and ended up having to pawn the gold medals she’d spent her whole life working to earn. Things got so bad that she contemplated suicide. But then an ex-girlfriend introduced her to a woman who would change her life.

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com

Presenter: Mobeen Azhar
Producer: Fiona Woods

If you need support relating to any of the issues we've covered in this interview, you can find more information on the BBC Action line website or at Befrienders.org.

(Photo: Briana Scurry. Credit: Courtesy of Briana Scurry)

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