PARIS, France — In her first Olympic Games, Anna Hall gave it her all.
The Denver-area native and former University of Georgia track and field standout, came in fifth during the women's heptathlon at the Paris Olympics. The heptathlon is made up of seven events over two days. Her combined points for all of the events placed her in fifth.
Her 2024 Olympic appearance was a great comeback after she broke her foot at the 2021 trials and then had knee surgery in January, according to NBC. However, she shared her broken heart and disappointment about Friday's outcome on social media.
"5th hurts, bad," she posted on X. "Trying hard to be proud of the fight we gave these last 2 days and last 7 months."
She said she gave it her very best.
"Hope I made you all proud,' she shared.
So many others shared encouraging comments with Hall.
"You've inspired so many and we're so proud!," Team USA said.
"You have nothing to be ashamed of. 5th place in the whole world while not at your best. We are all proud of you," one person said.
"Amazing work! Be proud of yourself!! We are VERY proud of YOU," another X platform user said.
Her family shared similar sentiments as they consoled her after she competed. They embraced her and affirmed that they were all so very proud.
Watch the heartwarming moment below.
More on Anna Hall
Hall attend UGA from 2019-2021. She then transferred to the University of Florida. Hall, 23 received some major air time and comments from Peyton Manning on NBC's telecast during the Opening Ceremony
While at the University of Georgia, Hall was an NCAA high jump All-American, helping the Bulldogs earn third place in the NCAA Outdoor event. She skipped the heptathlon to focus on the 2020 U.S. Olympic trials.
In 2021, while at UGA, Hall broke a bone in her left foot after she hit a barrier and crashed on the track after she hit a barrier. Following a coaching change at UGA, Hall transferred to the Florida.
During the Opening Ceremony, former Denver Broncos superstar and NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning talked about the local superstar who grew up in the area while he was with the Broncos.
"Anna's from Denver. Big Broncos fan. Although her father was a three-sport athlete at Michigan, she grew up a big Tom Brady fan. I told Anna I forgive her for that. When I asked her what she'd be thinking about on this boat, she said it'd be very emotional because she's had to overcome an injury that knocked her out of the trials (and had to have) knee surgery," Manning said. Brady's alma mater is Michigan.
As Manning mentioned, Hall's father, David Hall, was a three-sport athlete at the University of Michigan. According to Hall's NBC Olympics bio, he played football, basketball, and the decathlon while there. Three of Hall's four sisters also ran track, two of them at Michigan, and one of her sisters joined her on the track team for one season at UGA.
