Connect with us

Entertainment

Simone Biles leads senior gymnasts at Olympics

Published

on

It still happens to Simone Biles. Even now, after two Olympics, six world championships and greater than a decade within the highlight.

The most decorated gymnast of all time and the face of the American Olympic movement will likely be talking to someone when she reaches her age.

“They’re like, ‘Oh my God, you’re so cute, you’re a baby,'” Biles told The Associated Press with a rather exasperated laugh. “I want to be like, ‘I’m an adult. I’m an adult now. I’m 27.'”

Still, Biles remains to be seen as a ponytailed prodigy, whilst the demographic profiles of her top competitors change.

Perhaps that’s because all but one among the last 13 Olympic champions have been teenagers – including Biles, who triumphed in Rio de Janeiro eight years ago, and her teammate and good friend Sunisa Lee, who was 18 when she beat Brazilian star Rebecca Andrade in a nail-biting final in Tokyo in 2021.

American Simone Biles takes part in a gymnastics training session at the Bercy Arena through the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Both are returning to what they’ve called their “redemption tour.” When Biles and Lee take to the court at Bercy Arena on Sunday for Olympic qualifying, they will likely be joined by 2020 Olympic freestyle champion Jade Carey (24) and 2020 Olympic silver medalist Jordan Chiles (23), together with newcomer Hezly Rivera, who, at 16, is by far the youngest member of the oldest team the U.S. has ever sent to the Games.

Gone are the times when six-time Olympic medalist Aly Raisman was named team grandma in 2016 at age 22. Biles jokingly admitted she now has to apologize for using that nickname.

“Like I was old now,” Biles said. “Forget about Grandma, that’s behind us.”

Rapid evolution

Better training, loosening of name, image and likeness rights regulations for school athletes and the ability of social media are allowing America’s best athletes to increase their careers.

Carey, Lee and Chiles have spent significant time for the reason that Tokyo Games competing within the NCAA tournament, which was once seen as a way for former Olympians to grace their retirement.

Not a lot. Relaxed NIL rules meant Chiles, Lee and Carey could construct on their success in Tokyo without sacrificing their college eligibility. The frequency of NCAA meets and the emphasis on execution over difficulty allowed Chiles to hone more fundamental skills and gain invaluable competition experience without burning out.

“Now you can go to college and go back to the elite and go back and forth,” she said. “I think that’s something cool, and it’s all because you can kind of rest your body.”

New paradigm

Perhaps crucial reason is more fundamental, more influential, and more enduring.

The climate and culture around elite gymnastics are evolving. As are the ability dynamics, as the game becomes more athlete-centric, moving away from the paradigm of the authoritarian coach and the talented but obligatory wunderkind that for thus long defined success at the best level.

“People have stopped telling them they can’t do it,” said Aimee Boorman, who trained Biles earlier in her profession and is a co-founder of GIGA, knowledgeable gymnastics league for girls that may launch in 2025. “They’ve stopped telling them they’re done at 17 or 18. … The stigma of ‘little girls in pretty boxes’ is no longer a fact of life.”

Since Biles returned to the game last summer, she has been asked over and over why she is doing so a lot closer to her thirtieth birthday than her twentieth. Her answer has all the time been the identical: “Because I can.”

“Nobody is forcing me to do this,” Biles said after the U.S. Olympic qualifiers. “I wake up every day and decide to grind in the gym and then go out here and perform for myself.”

What has modified is the best way she toils. She uses her time within the gym more efficiently, partly by selection to assist a body that has trained for 20 years, and partly because her busy schedule requires it.

Global trend

The truth is, what Biles and company are doing within the U.S. is becoming increasingly common all over the world.

While Oksana Chusovitina stays an exception — the 49-year-old Uzbek will miss her first Olympics since 1988 but remains to be eyeing the 2028 Los Angeles Games — there are many women of their 20s and 30s who will try to affix the Americans within the medal race.

Andrade, 25, is Biles’ biggest threat for the all-around title. Sanne Wevers of the Netherlands turns 33 in September but remains to be one among the world’s best balance beam skaters. Ellie Black of Canada turns 29 in September. Paris is her fourth Olympics, but in some ways she is pretty much as good as ever.

The United States men’s team from left to right, Hezly Rivera, Suni Lee, Jade Carey, Jordan Chiles and Simone Biles pose for a photograph during gymnastics training at Bercy Arena through the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Perhaps happier than ever before, which is a large a part of the equation.

Black spends less time working on specific equipment and more time on “strength training,” something she wouldn’t mind seeing younger athletes do.

“I think it’s just finding the balance, making sure we’re strong,” Black said. “We’re not overtraining. We’re not doing crazy reps. We’re not spending our whole lives in the gym.”

Second page

Laurent Landi, who, along along with his wife Cecile, has been training Biles since late 2017, believes there’s one other factor at play within the gymnasts’ arguments over how best to arrange for competition.

In the US, following the Larry Nassar sexual harassment scandal, there was a sense that the training pendulum had swung from too strict to too loose. Biles told the AP in 2021 I felt like I “took the horse out of the stable and couldn’t get it back in.”

While Biles’ stance has softened recently, describing it more as a generational difference and the incontrovertible fact that there’s nobody right path to success, Landi believes that a part of the explanation Team USA is so heavily weighted toward veterans is that the subsequent wave isn’t ready or willing to push themselves to the highest, though he admits that concern mostly centers around Americans.

“That’s why you see the older generation holding on,” he said. “They realize, ‘Oh yeah, if you want to (stand out), you should be doing this, this, this.’”

“Is it going to be hard? Yes. Is it going to be hell? Yes,” he continued. “But you have to stick with it to (get) to the point where, ‘OK, I can do this.’ And these kids don’t even know how to really push themselves to that limit anymore.”

Featured Stories

Landi stressed that no athlete desires to get to the purpose where they should try really hard simply to make it easier later, but he believes that “that’s part of sport and part of life.”

How long can they go on like this?

The end will come soon enough for Biles and everybody else. She’s not saying yet whether Paris will likely be her final opponent. While the will to completely immerse herself in the subsequent chapter along with her husband, Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens, is real, she also knows that when the ride is over, there’s no going back.

It may very well be a tricky road, muses Elisabeth Seitz, who’s making her fourth Olympic appearance as a TV commentator. She narrowly missed out on making the five-woman German team.

Like Biles, Seitz faces questions at home that go something like, “You’re still a gymnast, get a real job.”

The thing is, Seitz, 30, believes she is in the most effective shape of her life after recovering from a torn Achilles tendon last fall. Her experience helped her recuperate from the injury in eight months. She knows what she will and may’t do.

Why would she wish to walk away from something that also has a robust hold over her before she desires to? Before she has to?

In this fashion, she appears like Biles and her peers, who’re helping to redefine who can — and who can’t — do it professionally.

“I just love gymnastics,” she said. “I just love the sport. That’s why I keep doing it.”

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Entertainment

The art collector left his mark on TheGrio’s Masters of the Game

Published

on

By

In the next episode of Masters of the Game, hosted by Touré, we introduce you to Shirley and Bernard Kinsey, an influence couple who’ve dedicated their lives to preserving African American history through art and artifacts. Through greater than 50 years of marriage and a shared passion for education and history, the Kinseys have built one of the largest and most influential private collections of African American history in the world.Kinsey collection— making them true champions of history, art and cultural preservation.

Art collectors

The Kinseys have long believed in the transformative power of education. For them, educating others means sharing the wealthy history of African-American culture through art and historical artifacts. Their collection includes works by iconic artists corresponding to Ernie Barnes, Charles Alston and Beauford Delaney, nevertheless it is their collection of rare historical documents that really stands out. Among their treasures is a heartbreaking nineteenth century letter delivered by an enslaved girl who couldn’t read – she was sent from one plantation to a different under false pretenses. The next work of their collection is Zora Neale Hurston’s brave and hilarious letter to her ex-husband, through which she asks him to remain out of her life endlessly.

From humble beginnings to becoming one of the most influential black couples of our time, Toure’s conversation with the Kinsey family takes us on a journey through the depth, resilience and radiance of African-American culture. Their collection not only preserves history, but in addition inspires future generations to inform their very own powerful stories, making the Kinseys true masters of the game. Don’t miss this episode of “Masters of the Game” at 8 p.m. ET on Friday and 1 p.m. ET on Saturday on TheGrio Cable Network.

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
Continue Reading

Entertainment

Simone Biles torn apart after giving George Strait’s wife a ‘vulgar look’ while fans came to her defense

Published

on

By

Did Olympic gymnast Simone Biles cut George Strait’s wife’s eyes on the Country Music Awards?

Some people think so after a viral video of Biles, 27, showing her frustration within the audience on the 58th annual CMA Awards on November 20.

In several clips circulating online, the 27-year-old gave Strait’s wife, Norma Strait, a “dirty look” on the annual awards show where her husband was honored with the John Paul II Lifetime Achievement Award. Willie Nelson.

The seven-time Olympic gold medalist asked viewers if she had glanced out of the corner of her eye on the Lifetime Achievement Award winner’s wife through the 2024 CMA Awards. (Photo: @simonebiles/Instagram)

“Does anyone know if there is a dispute between Simone Biles and George Strait’s wife?” – one in all the X users asked on the evening of this system.

X’s post included a clip of Biles looking nervous as Norma and other attendees danced in the gang on the Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony tribute performance.

The tribute to the “King of Country Music” featured country stars Lainey Wilson, Jamey Johnson, Miranda Lambert and Parker McCollum. Additionally, Chris Stapleton joined Strait on stage to walk through the “Honky Tonk Hall of Fame” to conclude the segment.

Speculation about Biles’ possible disdain shown on the CMA Awards has turn into a topic of debate online, with fans and critics taking sides in the controversy.

“I watched it live and wondered the same thing, and then death looked up and down, she definitely hated!” answer on X platform he stated.

Original X poster he replied“As long as I’m not the only one who saw it.”

However, the legendary gymnast had her defenders. For example, user X sent“He’s probably just watching her reaction (honestly) without thinking about the cameras.”

“Nothing happened” – another person he argued. “George Strait’s wife doesn’t care about messy things like that. It looks like Simone could have a resting face. She wasn’t the one black person either. There are many Black people in country music, from singers to musicians.

Similar entry To read“I saw it and cringed, it’s just her face, but she should politely decline if she doesn’t like country music.”

Another fan he wrote“She probably saw the camera give attention to George Strait’s wife and just looked around curiously. I do not think she’s giving a mischievous have a look at all, she just looks like she’s noticed that the camera is specializing in the people next to her.

Despite questions on Biles’ on-screen response, the multiple-time world champion expressed her excitement to attend the 2024 CMA Awards on the day of the event.

Biles reposted photos from the evening on her Instagram Story. In one photo, shared by hairstylist Justin Revenge, the Olympic gold medalist showed off the short red dress she wore to the red carpet, in addition to the silver off-the-shoulder dress she wore to the CMA Gala.

The star of the Netflix docuseries “Simone Biles Rising” appeared at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville to present the Female Vocalist of the Year award to country singer Lainey Wilson.

Lainey Wilson won the Female Vocalist of the Year category, beating out fellow nominees Kelsea Ballerini, Ashley McBryde, Megan Moroney and Kacey Musgraves.

Biles herself had a successful 12 months as an athlete. The Texas native won 4 medals on the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, bringing her profession total to a record 11 victories for an American gymnast.

However, Vice President Kamala Harris couldn’t replicate Biles’ success because the Democratic presidential candidate in 2024. Harris lost to former President Donald Trump within the nationwide election.

Biles publicly called on current Democratic President Joe Biden to take a stand on behalf of American women before Republican MAGA leader Trump enters the White House on January 20, 2025.

“Mr. Biden, you need to stand up, straighten your back and shake some things up before you go… xoxo women of America,” the Olympian wrote on Twitter on November 6 in response to the election results.


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
Continue Reading

Entertainment

What do you know about Cynthia Erivo?

Published

on

By

Cynthia Erivo, Wicked, Cynthia Erivo controversy, Black Hollywood, theGrio.com

With the discharge of Wicked fast approaching, it’s protected to say that Cynthia Erivo is on fire straight away.

The film adaptation of the Broadway musical (which is an adaptation of a best-selling novel based on one other novel) is about to open to over $175 million worldwide this weekend, and Erivo has just landed a significant deal.

Universal Pictures has struck a first-look cope with its production company Edith’s Daughter, Deadline reported.

“Having spent the last three years working with Donna Langley, Peter Cramer and the Universal team on Wicked, I have experienced first-hand the love and fearlessness with which they tell stories and uplift narrators,” said Erivo. “I am absolutely delighted to take the next step in our cooperation under our first-look agreement. This is not only a milestone for my production company, but also a testament to the power of storytelling and the importance of diverse voices in film. I can’t wait to bring our visions to life and share them with the world!”

However, some could also be just discovering the 37-year-old from Stockwell, London (where she was born right into a family of Nigerian immigrants) or may don’t know about her background and profession to this point. There’s quite a bit to like about the Emmy, Grammy and Tony winner – and much more to grasp beneath the surface. Below we have gathered some things you have to know about Erivo, including some very necessary ones.

He is a Broadway sensation

Before Erivo became a star of the silver screen, she made a reputation for herself on the stage. The actress’ breakthrough role was the role of Celie within the musical adaptation of “The Color Purple” on Broadway. From 2015 to 2017, she delivered critically acclaimed, groundbreaking performances, winning the 2016 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.

She has played several iconic black characters

Aretha Franklin, Harriet Tubman and Recy Taylor are black American historical figures immortalized on screen by Erivo, who has played all of them in movies. Shortly after her Broadway run in 2017, Erivo played Taylor in “The Rape of Recy Taylor.” She then starred as Tubman within the 2019 film “Harriet.”

In 2021, Erivo played Franklin within the National Geographic anthology “Genius: Aretha”. While critics praised her performance, Franklin’s family had a special tackle the project, claiming she was never consulted and even felt “disrespected” by the production team.

He is a queer icon

Earlier this yr, Erivo received the Schrader Award from the Los Angeles LGBT Center as a self-proclaimed member for her talent and support of the queer community.

“Acknowledging that I am queer publicly – especially in the public eye – means taking a risk to claim my freedom,” she said in her speech through which she agreed to return out as queer later in life. “It seems we prefer to see the world in black and white rather than accept the difficult (but beautiful) complexities of our humanity.”

Although it has never been explicitly confirmed, Erivo has long been considered one half of a fairly powerful Black Hollywood power couple, as she is commonly seen at red carpet events alongside fellow industry heavyweight Lena Waithe.

He has a novel sense of fashion

From shaving her eyebrows to her signature long and ornamental nails, Erivo is understood for her daring sense of fashion. Her uniqueness was even incorporated into her makeup for “Wicked.” The makeup artist used stencils to attract eyebrows and add freckles. Meanwhile, a special shade of green face and body makeup was developed to make Erivo’s melaninated skin appear “clearly” on screen, and the shade was named “Cynthia Green,” the film’s makeup artist said People Magazine. It’s value noting that despite the hours-long application process required day by day for months of filming, she also said that Erivo “never, ever, ever complained.”

She doesn’t suffer fools

Social media was abuzz this week with response to actor/podcast host Dax Shepard’s invasive query about Erivo’s signature elaborate manicure, specifically how he moves through it while using the lavatory. When footage of her interview with Shepard hit the Internet, many individuals were quick to sentence its inappropriateness, asking her how she wipes herself while having very long, jeweled nails.

“My answer is that no one wipes their ass with just their fingers. You use wipes, right? And you wipe it off,” she replied calmly.

Erivo further expressed her annoyance with this query; the one she had exhibited before.

“I understand, it annoys me. Come on, guys,” she said. “I understand, but I’m a functioning adult and I’ve never walked around smelling like… you know.”

People participating within the discussion found this query rude, disgusting and invasive. It can also be, as Erivo identified, unoriginal. In response to this viral exchange, some have responded by demonstrating how they adapt these very human processes to long fingernails – and shockingly, it’s just about the identical process we have all been doing since potty training. It’s really not that complicated.

Cynthia Erivo Recalls Her Reaction to Fan-Made 'Wicked' Poster: 'I Probably Should have Called My Friends'

He has some questionable tweets in his search history

When it was announced in 2018 that Erivo would play Harriet Tubman within the biopic “Harriet,” the British actress’s seemingly problematic comments made years earlier about the language of Black Americans inevitably resurfaced. As previously reported by theGrio, this compounded existing questions about the choice to forged British-born Erivo because the historical African-American hero, given what some perceived as a disdain for African-American culture.

“As for the tweets, they were taken out of context, giving me no room to explain what they meant – and they weren’t actually mocking anyone,” she explained on the time: Complex reported. “It was not intended to be (offensive) at all. It was to celebrate a song I (wrote) when I was 16.”

Speaking further about the controversy during an event on the Toronto International Film Festival, she said: “I actually have never… never spoken negatively about people because I don’t desire to; I don’t desire this energy to be passed on to others.”

She continued: “I do not think it’s good for us in any respect; I do not think it serves any purpose apart from to bring negativity into my life and yours, and I just don’t desire that.

Perhaps he has some tension with the band in “The Color Purple.”

For unknown reasons, Erivo claims she was not invited to a special screening of the musical “The Color Purple” for family and friends, which was also attended by other members of her Broadway forged. It’s a bit strange that the Tony-winning revival star wasn’t on the guest list. When asked about her apparent rejection in the course of the interview and whether it reflected her initial considerations for Celie’s role within the film adaptation, Erivo suggested she couldn’t talk about it.

Despite every little thing, he’s capable of admit his mistake

Erivo can have had mixed emotions previously as a result of questionable comments or her unwavering passion for her craft, but she is ultimately capable of admit when she was incorrect. In the lead-up to Wicked’s premiere, fan-made art got here to light that edited the film’s poster to look more like the unique Broadway Playbill, obscuring Erivo’s direct gaze with the brim of her witch hat. The actress was initially very offended, but later admitted that she can have overreacted.

“I think for me it was a human moment…” she later explained. “I probably should have called my friends, but I’m fine.”

Cynthia Erivo accepts Los Angeles LGBT Center award for speech on freedom to 'be different'

After all, she is an expert

Say what you want, but Cynthia Erivo is robust and talented. He can also be a one that is alleged to place the nice of the team ahead of his personal glory. During a recent appearance on “Cutting room floor” podcast, she described her technique of coming into harmony together with her “Wicked” co-star Ariana Grande and the way the 2 worked together to create a unified sound fairly than resorting to diva-like behavior in an try and outshine one another.

For example, although she and Grande have very different voices, Erivo noted that what they’ve in common is way more necessary.

“I think what connects us is the way we hear music, so we can hear each other,” she explained. “And the beauty of singing with someone who can also hear is that you follow each other back and forth. We can find ways to make our textures and sounds make sense, and that’s really hard with humans.”

Erivo added: “It also signifies that you found someone completely selfless because they care about working with you, and being an element of that’s essentially the most amazing thing. When you find someone who’s committed to creating sound together, (there may be) no ego.

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
Continue Reading
Advertisement

OUR NEWSLETTER

Subscribe Us To Receive Our Latest News Directly In Your Inbox!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Trending