American diver Laura Wilkinson's tenacity and fortitude caused a stir in the competitive diving community. She was born in 1975 and grew up hoping to place first on the podium at important athletic competitions.

Wilkinson faced difficulties on his path to Olympic glory. During her career, she encountered numerous challenges, one of which was being cut from the U.S. national team just before the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Wilkinson, however, persisted in training and competing with even more tenacity rather than giving up.

When an injury left her spot open, she qualified for the 2000 Sydney Olympics as a replacement diver, which was her big break. Many viewed Wilkinson as the underdog, but he did a fantastic job. In the springboard event, she made a perfect dive that was so amazing that it received almost perfect scores. She received a gold medal for this performance in addition to a spot on the podium.

Wilkinson's steadfast belief in holding herself and others to high standards is reflected in her quote. She believed that everyone should strive to be the best. She exhorts athletes to aim for greatness and never accept anything less than their highest potential. What motivates Wilkinson and motivates those who follow her is her pursuit of the highest peaks, akin to an eagle soaring above the mountains.

Her story shows us that if we work hard, are persistent, and don't give up when things don't go our way, we can achieve our goals. Wilkinson's story is a potent reminder to anyone hoping to excel in sports or any other field that striving for gold involves more than just taking home a medal; it also entails pushing yourself to realize your greatest potential.