Sacrifices are not in vain, they pay off in the end.” This was one of the poignant remarks of Gabriel (Gabby) Douglas, who this year became the first African American woman to win the Olympic individual all-around gymnastics title in an explosive performance. She is only the fourth American woman to achieve this distinction. In spite of perceived slights of omission by a leading newspaper which excluded Gabby from the team picture, and coverage by the contracted networks which excluded Gabby from the initial shot after team U.S.A.

Mary McConneloug, the Vineyard’s own Olympian who competed in the Beijing games last week, finished seventh in the women’s mountain bike cross-country course. The highest-ranked cross-country mountain biker in the nation and one of two women on the American team, Ms. McConnelaug was the top American finisher in her event, with a final time of 1:50:34 for a six-lap, 26.7-kilometer (16.6-mile) course. The cross-country race was Saturday. Sabine Spitz of Germany took first, with a time of 1:45:11. Ms. McConneloug, who is 37, lives in Chilmark with Michael Broderick.

It was in the Italian countryside five days ago that it finally hit home.