As a past competitive gymnast, watching the Olympics in gymnastics has always been something I look forward to as soon as the Olympic trials begin. For as long as I can remember, my parents and I have always watched all of the trials and the actual competition together.
However, in the 2012 Olympic Games, the world was introduced to the one and only Gabby Douglas. In the 2012 Olympic Games, Gabby Douglas was one of the members of the United States Gymnastics team that was later referred to as the "Fierce Five,” who performed very well. She in turn won a gold medal in the Artistic Gymnasts Women's All-Around, but things have changed.
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It was obvious at the trials this year that Gabby was out of practice, and just seemed to be extremely uninterested in the other girls that were competing. You could tell that her heart wasn't in it like it was in 2012. Although Gabby Douglas is still an overwhelmingly talented gymnast, she isn't performing nearly as well as she has in the past.
This year's USA Olympic Team consists of veterans, Gabby Douglas and Aly Raisman, with newcomers, Simone Biles, Laurie Hernandez and Madison Kocian. Our team this year is packed full with impeccable gymnasts, however, there's been some controversy as to whether Gabby Douglas really deserved to be on the team at all after placing seventh in the Olympic Trials. She has also been chosen to compete in the All-Around Event, meaning she competes in every event, rather than just her most well-known event of the uneven bars.
Gabby Douglas has been performing poorly, and showing no sportsmanship towards her other team mates. Douglas did not perform well enough to be placed in the All-Around event, underdog Laurie Hernandez, did, however.
Laurie Hernandez is from New Jersey and has been competing for a majority of her life. Her best events seem to be the vault, uneven bars and balance beam. Laurie Hernandez has shown excellence in all areas of gymnastics, her dedication and clear love for the sport at the young age of 16 is the reason she should've been given the opportunity to compete in the All-Around event this year at the Summer Olympics in Rio.
