ATLANTA - Tucsonan Kerri Strug came through when needed most, nailing her final vault to secure the first American team gold in Olympic women's gymnastics before collapsing in pain.

Strug was carried out of the Georgia Dome on a stretcher before the competition ended yesterday, not even seeing that the Americans had finished with 389.225 points, .821 points in front of the Russians.

It was the first time since 1952 that gymnasts from the former Soviet Union didn't win the gold. The Soviets boycotted the 1984 Los Angeles Games, when Romania won. The Mary Lou Retton-led U.S. squad took silver in '84.

Romania won the bronze this time with 388.246 points.

As Strug was carried off the floor, her score of 9.712 flashed and the crowd roared. She was put on a stetcher, but returned for the medals ceremony, carried into the arena by her coach, Bela Karolyi, crying all the while.