ABC News(RIO DE JANEIRO) — The heartwarming images of three-time gold medal-cyclist Kristin Armstrong tearfully embracing her 5-year-old son, Lucas, the moment she crossed the finish line Wednesday were seen around the world.
Armstrong described the “exhaustion and joy” she felt in those defining moments on ABC News’ Good Morning America Friday live from Rio.
“Those moments when you cross the finish line you go through a lot of emotions within what feels like 10 minutes, but it’s probably within, like, a minute,” the Olympian, who turned 43 Thursday, explained. “And I went from exhaustion, joy and I saw my son and started just crying. When I went over for that hug he in my ear said, ‘Mama, why are you crying?’ And there was a pause, and he said, ‘Didn’t you win?’ And I said, ‘Yeah, I did,’ and he said, ‘Then why are you crying?’”
“So I thought of it as another life lesson to teach because at age 5 you don’t quite understand that joy and happiness and being overwhelmed can also bring tears,” the cyclist, who has no relation to Lance Armstrong, added.
Armstrong’s third win Thursday was an enormous victory because it secured her as the only cyclist ever — male or female — to win three consecutive gold medals in the Individual Time Trial. And, at age 43, she’s the oldest woman on the team by seven years.
“I’ve learned over the years that there’s a lot of focus on the outside, sometimes of focusing on that I’m over 40,” she explained. “But at the end of the day people ask me how I do it, and it’s really, it’s everything between your ears. It’s your mindset. If you can keep positive and believe in yourself and surround yourself with people that believe in you, it’s amazing the energy that it actually gives you.”
Unlike other years when the proud Idahoan has competed in the Olympic Games, this time she’s actually going to stick around Rio to enjoy the trip.
“In previous games that I’ve participated in, I would just get on plane within 24 hours and I’d be home,” Armstrong said. “And I’d get home and I would be finding myself on the couch watching the Olympic Games on the television. And my husband said this time around when I was booking the tickets, ‘Can we do a favor? Can we get to some events this time and enjoy the moment?’ So that’s what we’re doing.”
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