This Young Gymnast Was Set To Be A Star – But One Innocent Photo Set Her On A Totally New Path

McKayla Maroney once had the sporting world at her feet. Rising through the ranks of U.S. gymnastics, she had reached the pinnacle of her profession: a place on the American Olympic gymnastics team. But when she finally got to the London Games in 2012, a seemingly innocent photograph put her name in all the headlines. And from that moment on, she was propelled onto a very different path.

Just One Little Photo

It must’ve been some photo to alter the course of a sportswoman’s entire career, right? And it’s especially surprising when you consider Maroney’s position within the gymnastics world at the time. As a rising star, followers of the sport had kept their eyes on her as the gymnast to watch. And she was proving them right.

A Rising Star

And as Maroney showcased her talents on both the domestic and international stage, she scooped medals aplenty. It was no surprise, then, that American gymnastics fans were getting so excited about her prospects. In fact, it’s not an understatement to say that she was on course to become one of the sport’s biggest stars.

Caught Off Guard

But as Maroney’s reputation continued to grow, a moment was coming that would change her life forever. Of course, we’re referring to the picture that was snapped in 2012. The lasting impact that this photo had can’t be overstated, yet the gymnast didn’t see it coming. At all.

Going Mainstream

Yes, Maroney had no inkling that the photograph would go on to become one of the most talked-about snaps of the year. Despite any feelings she may have had on the matter, though, it brought her name into the mainstream – making her famous beyond gymnastics and even beyond sports as a whole. That’s pretty incredible when you think about it.