Early Life
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| Simone Biles showing off one of four gold medals at 2016 Rio Olympic Games |
Women of Color in Sports with a Disability
Being the first female to win four consecutive all around titles since the 1970's, as well as win 14 world championship medals, Biles has created quite a name for herself. But this fame came with an incredible invasion of privacy. Confidential medical records were released regarding Biles medical history where it is stated that she was diagnosed with Attention Deficient Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) at a young age. Instead of hiding behind her diagnoses, Biles has become an advocate for women in sports and individuals who has also been diagnosed with ADHD. Many have applauded her for her being so vocal and speaking up against the stigma that comes from the disability. In September of 2016, Biles took to twitter to end any rumors leading her to using medications that may enhance her performance stating "Please know, I believe in clean sport, have always followed the rules, and will continue to do so as fair play is critical to sport and is very important to me." (4)Being a woman of color with a disability who also competes in sports has set Biles up to an advocate for so many different minority groups world wide. She has been chosen as a representative for the #RespectTheAbility campaign held earlier in 2019, which highlights individuals who have succeeded in fields, regardless of their disabilities. (4)
Biles continuing amount of success has allowed her to bring up important issues that need to be discussed on a broader platform. She has shown that women of color with disabilities can dominate in fields were majority Caucasian athletes excel. She was chosen as sportswoman of the year by the Woman's Sports Foundation and was a finalist for Time Magazines "Person of the Year" in 2016. (5)
#MeToo and Return
In 2018, Biles released statements that she was also a victim and a part of the #MeToo movement. Biles took to twitter to release a statement where she says Larry Nassar, a former US team physician, also sexually abused her as well as 140 other women and girls. Biles says in her statement "“For too long I’ve asked myself, ‘Was I too naive? was it my fault?’ I now know the answer to those questions.” Along with Biles, 3 other "Final Five" teammates, also came out on behalf of their own encounters with Nassar. (6)
After a Hiatus in 2017, Biles returned back on to the mat and recently made headlines making history in August of 2019 by being the first woman to perform a triple double (three twists with two flips) in a floor competition. After almost 2 years of not competing, Biles has been killing the game lately, winning 6 medals in last years world competition (four of them being gold). (7)
It is no surprise the Simone Biles will continue to work hard for not only women of color in sports in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics but also for women with disabilities and survivors of sexual assault in the upcoming years.
Works Cited:
(1): DailyMail.com Simone Biles Exclusive
(2): Simone Biles Biography
(3): NBC Sports: Simone Biles chooses UCLA
(4) RespectAbility Simone Biles: Olympic and Disability Champion Makes History While Mesmerizing Many
(5) TIME Magazine 2016 Person of the Year Shortlist
(6) The Guardian Simone Biles: I was sexually abused by USA Gymanastics doctor Larry Nassar
(7) New York Times Simone Biles Takes Gymanstics to a New Level. Again.
Really liked how you did your blog! I am a huge fan of the final five and the Olympics. I have also watching Simone on Dancing With the Stars where she did amazing, showing girls and young women it is okay to step out of your comfort zone. I never knew she had any disability, that was really neat to learn. Simone is an amazing women! I knew she and other members had stepped forward during the Me Too movement, and how hard it was for them to finally have a voice and be able to be heard and believed.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea she had a disability! She obviously represents so many different causes and that is so amazing. I knew she was involved in the Nassar #MeToo movement, but her other accomplishments as a warrior woman were very interesting to read about!
ReplyDeleteSimone is an inspiration to a lot of women especially being in gymnastics. Her abilities as a young women is an example for others following in her footsteps and I am happy to see you highlight this. She has so many accomplishments as a young women even with having a "disability" which proves to be useless against her because she works past it to become better.
ReplyDeleteI love Simone Biles! Ever since I saw her at the Olympics winning so much, I just knew she would become a very important person. But I never really knew a lot about her. I think your blog did a great job of showcasing her highlights and also her struggles. Its honestly just made me love her more.
ReplyDeleteI love Simone! She is such a powerful figure for young women and young women of color to look up to and admire. She is someone we can learn a lot from as a country.
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