Simone Biles doesn’t want to get drawn into the debate of where she ranks in history.
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That puts Biles above many great gymnasts that Karolyi has worked with in a long and distinguished career.
But although no one doubts Biles’ awe-inspiring talent, not everyone is quite ready to proclaim her as the GOAT.
Biles won all-around gymnastics gold with a certain panache. Her name floats around with some of the other greatest Olympic athletes, namely Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt. I’m more happy for her than I am myself. A showing that, in a year without the brilliance of Simone Biles, would have otherwise had her in gold atop the podium. The 22-year-old’s run in Rio is not over yet, though, as she is scheduled to defend her gold medal on floor on Sunday. If successful, Biles will become the first female gymnast – and only the second woman in any discipline – to win five gold medals at a single Games.
I tried to take the weight of the black community off my shoulders; it’s something I carry with me being in this position.
“This medal is not just for me, it’s for some of the African-Americans who came before me and have been an inspiration to me”, she said.
Simone Biles is often described as the world’s greatest gymnast, and has once again proven her incredible talent after winning the women’s all-round gold medal at the Rio Olympic Games. Every single day you have to become better and better and Simone responded very well to this advice and I am so proud because of this.
Fellow gymnast and silver-medallist Alexander spoke in praise of her fellow teammate, saying: “No-one goes into this thinking they can beat Simone”. As a huge gymnastics fan since 1999, I also found her reaction a little off-putting and instantly knew it was another controversy she would have to deal with.
American Kayla Harrison defended her Olympic judo title in the women’s 78-kilogram division.
Anything less than heading back to her family’s home in Spring, Texas, with a fistful of golds would be seen as a disappointment. Biles athleticism is a beauty to watch and she will dazzle and entertain for Olympics to come.
Harrison’s strength however, exists far beyond the mat.
The 2.1-point margin of victory is larger than the combined margin by which she won her three world all-around titles (2.075). The Post reports that he was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
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The 31-year-old Olympian won his 22nd (and fourth from this year alone) gold medal during the 200-meter individual medley-a race including all four swimming strokes: Freestyle, butterfly, backstroke and breaststroke.
