evidence: In 1996, Kim Rhode, who was 17 years old at the time, won the Olympic gold medal in shotgun for the United States. Do you think she achieved her dream because her competition caved in? Of course not! She worked hard for that victory and earned the gold. That’s the American way. Or at least it’s supposed to be. Kim Rhode’s win in 1996 was the beginning. She is now a six-time Olympic medal winner.