In the “McKayla is not impressed” meme, McKayla Maroney had won a silver medal. She earned it in the women’s vault final at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
Maroney was heavily favored after winning the vault title at the 2011 World Championships. In London, she performed an excellent first vault but fell on her second, leaving her behind Romania’s Sandra Izbașa and taking silver. A photograph of Maroney on the podium captured her pursed-lip, disappointed-looking expression.
The image became an Internet meme after being circulated and edited into scenes around the world. The expression was often interpreted as general displeasure, although it primarily reflected her disappointment at narrowly missing Olympic gold. Maroney later embraced the joke, including by recreating the pose with President Barack Obama at the White House.
A common mix-up is confusing her individual silver with the U.S. women’s team gold medal. Maroney was also part of the “Fierce Five,” who won the team competition.