German-born Meta Elste learned in 1948 that good things come to those who wait. After having to wait eight years, a 29-year-old gymnast finally had the opportunity to compete on the Olympic stage following World War II. Self-discipline and perseverance in the gym earned Elste a bronze medal— her only Olympic medal in two tries— to accompany dozens of AAU and national meet medals. Elst’s career continued into her 50s when she called it quits after winning the all-around in the senior ladies’ division of the 1972 Turners National Turnfest.
