Why The U.S. Women's Gymnastics Team Is Truly America At Its Finest | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Sports

Why The U.S. Women's Gymnastics Team Is Truly America At Its Finest

When we come together as one, we not only progress, we flourish.

43
Why The U.S. Women's Gymnastics Team Is Truly America At Its Finest

In less than three weeks, some of the nation's best and most elite athletes will be representing the United States in Rio for the 2016 Olympic Games. When I sat down to watch the Olympic Trials for U.S Women’s Gymnastics (my favorite olympic sport to watch) and the most diverse team was selected, I was pleasantly surprised. Aside from the fact that the most qualified team was chosen, on the team we have before us two teammates who are African American, one is Latina, and one is Jewish. Together, they represent a range of ages as well as racial and ethnic backgrounds.

Simone Biles was pretty much guaranteed to earn a spot in this year's U.S. women's gymnastics team. While Biles may be among the highest-profile female gymnasts this year, she won't be the only one representing the United States at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Biles will be joined by a set of teammates who, together, represent a range of ages as well as racial and ethnic backgrounds. Biles will be joined by Gabby Douglas, who made history at the 2012 London Olympics when she became the first African-American to win gold in the all-around category. Douglas has stumbled a bit during the trials this year, but she's hoping to defend her championship. At 22, Aly Raisman is the oldest member of the team. Raisman, who is Jewish, joined Douglas as part of the "Fierce Five" team that took gold home at the London Olympics. In contrast, Laurie Hernandez, at 16, is among the youngest Olympians competing this year. The Puerto Rican has been making a name for herself since the age of 12. She's been dominating on the beams ever since. Madison Kocian rounded out the final, fifth spot on the team, largely due to her proficiency on the uneven bars.

Together, the team represents a level of diversity in a sport that has historically not seen much of it. To put it into perspective, it wasn't until 1980, when Luci Collins made the U.S. team, that the country had its first African-American female gymnast in the Olympics team. As a result of the U.S. boycotting the Moscow games, however, Collins didn't end up competing that year. While later years saw an increased number of black Olympic gymnasts on the U.S. team, the number of Latinas remained small, though there were notable exceptions in the '80s and as recently as 2004. And in 1996,

It is so refreshing to see how welcoming the USA Olympic team is of diversity and inclusion and being able to see that first hand in the various selections of Olympic teams truly shows how progressive the Olympics have gotten. During a time where America has been ridden with tragedy after tragedy, many because of racial and ethic prejudice, the Olympics offer a platform to show to all Americans that when we come together as one, we not only progress but flourish.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

192614
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

16287
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

458954
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

27225
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments