U.S. National Team Soccer Jersey, worn by Mia Hamm

Hamm, Mia

Description (Brief)

Mia Hamm (b. 1972) scored more goals in international competition (158) than any player in soccer history. In her career, Hamm won two FIFA World Cup Championships and three Olympic medals, as well as four NCAAA titles for the University of North Carolina. Her success popularized women’s soccer in the United States, encouraging many young girls to take up the sport. This jersey was worn by Hamm during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

The 1996 Summer Olympic Games were held in Atlanta, Georgia and marked the first time since 1984 that the United States topped the medal count. These Games saw over 10,000 athletes, from 197 countries, competing in 26 sports, including the debuts of beach volleyball, mountain biking, softball and women’s soccer. This was also the first Games in which American women, who had taken full advantage of Title IX legislation, competed and excelled in Olympic competition. The women’s gymnastics, soccer, softball and basketball teams all won gold, propelling the US women athletes into the global spotlight and beginning their dominance in Olympic competition. Atlanta benefitted from the Games as Centennial Olympic Park led to the revitalization of the downtown area and the Olympic Village became residence housing for area universities.

Location

Currently not on view

ca 1996

ID Number

2001.0188.01

accession number

2001.0188

catalog number

2001.0188.01

Object Name

soccer jersey

jersey

soccer jersey, summer olympics

Physical Description

fabric, cotton (overall material)

fabric, polyester (overall material)

Measurements

overall: 67 cm x 54 cm; 26 3/8 in x 21 1/4 in

National Museum of American History

subject

Women

Soccer

Olympics

Sports

Record ID

nmah_1190328

Usage of Metadata (Object Detail Text)

CC0

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746aa-5bcb-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa