For her part, Biles said,”Every single day that I’ve had here has been like a dream come true and it just keeps on getting better”.
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The gymnast, who won four gold medals and one bronze medal during this year’s games, was named flag bearer for Sunday night’s show, becoming the first US gymnast to have the honor. The U.S. medal haul also included Matthew Centrowitz winning the 1,500-meters – the first American to take gold in the event in more than 100 years.
Competing at her first Olympic Games in Rio, Biles won gold medals in team, all-around, vault and floor exercise.
Simone, a four-time gold medal victor, was asked to take so many selfies she even slowed down the entire event.
At Rio’s opening ceremony, Michael Phelps carried the US flag.
Four-time world champion Simone Biles became the first female gymnast and black woman to carry the USA flag in the closing ceremony – an honor rightfully deserved.
Biles responded to the president’s Tweet with her trademark enthusiasm. Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles has proven that giving the “extra 10 percent”, conceiving and believing you can achieve the highest title in gymnastics.
Like past black athletes who lent their moment of patriotic glory to a worthy critique of their country, Manuel risked cashing in her hero status for infamy among those Americans for whom the movement for black lives is akin to a racial threat.
As for her plans after Rio, Biles isn’t ruling out trying to return to the Olympic team for Tokyo’s 2020 Summer Games.
Some said the Olympics also provided a much-needed respite from racial tensions at home.
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During the Games, Douglas was a target on social media and was getting criticized at every turn – for supposedly being grumpy and for not putting her hand over her heart on one occasion when the national anthem was played. “When she makes up her mind, it’s, like, oh my gosh – the whole world could be upset and she’d still do it”.
