Living in America all my life, I have realized that there are two major occasions when US citizens stand up and show our pride. The most common occasion occurs annually, Fourth of July. The other occasion happens every four years, known as the Olympic Games. Who would not want to cheer on their country when they are competing for gold against other countries? While some people are watching Serena’s serve from half-court, others are watching from halfway across the world. Many of these viewers are children. Whether they know it or not, Olympians are role models for kids looking at them through a television screen, hoping to become the best version of themselves in the sport that they love. A few of these Olympians include Simone Biles, Michael Phelps, and Simone Manuel.

If you have been on any sort of social media since the Olympic Games started you know all about Simone Biles. Whether it is her in a funny meme or being praised over Twitter, there is no way that you can say that she has no talent. The great thing about this is that there are pictures on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook showing little girls saying, “I want to be the next Simone.” That is great because her achievements are helping other young gymnasts have a dream. She is a role model because she is a reason young girls want to reach for the stars, or in this case, the gold. The next Olympian that has been swimming in our hearts in Michael Phelps.

Out of all the Olympians, former and present, Michael Phelps in the most decorated with a total of 28 medals. With this amazing record, Michael Phelps has become a household name and a household goal for kids to become when they are taking their first swimming lessons. A young boy may say “I am the next Michael Phelps!” as he does a cannonball in the pool. Was his form correct? Maybe not. Although this happened, he has a goal to become all time Olympian. The next swimmer that earned her right into our hearts is Simone Manuels.

The 2016 Olympic Games is the one for the Simones! Manuel is the first African-American woman to win an individual event in Olympic swimming. That is a great record to have on her plate because there was a point in history when water had been drained from a pool because a black woman put her toe in the water. Despite her breaking boundaries, she also represents someone that up in coming athletes can look up to.

All in all, the Olympic Games are a big deal not just to America, but to the whole world. Despite complications with Olympians such as Ryan Lochte, Biles, Phelps, and Manuel are role models for children to look up to and Olympians in the making.