Carly patterson gymnast pics sunset

In 2004, Carly Patterson became only the second American woman to win an Olympic all-around gold medal and the first in a non-boycotted Olympic Games.

She was the first American woman to win the title in 20 years, taking home silver medals for the balance beam and the Women’s team competition

Carly's performance at the Olympics made her a household name, leading to numerous appearances on television talk shows and award shows and her induction to the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.

Soon after the Olympics, Patterson was diagnosed with several bulging discs in her lower back that had gone unnoticed.

She intended to take time off from the sport to rehabilitate her back. Still, hearing her doctor say, 'Carly, you need to stop if you want to be able to walk when you get older,' she officially retired from the sport in 2006 - without ever participating in another major competition.

Later that year, Carly released her