One of the biggest and most popular events of the Rio Olympics has been, by far, women's gymnastics. Everything is enticing, from the routines to the leotards to the high stakes. Two of the most shining stars in the competition this year were both from Team USA: 19-year-old Simone Biles and 22-year-old Aly Raisman.
Simone Biles is being called the best gymnast of all time, and was the favorite to win the Women's All-Around in Rio de Janeiro. Her infectious smile, her story of adoption, and her amazing talent have created fans throughout the world for the superstar. Aly Raisman, a teammate of this year's "Final Five," is equally unforgettable. She's poised and supportive (definitely the mom friend, if you ask me), with beautiful routines and famously nervous parents. At this year's Olympics, Raisman aimed to redeem herself from her loss in a tiebreaker against Russia's Aliya Mustafina at the 2012 Olympics.
The world watched as Biles and Raisman competed in the All-Arounds, a four-stage event that includes vaulting, the uneven bars, the balance beam, and a floor routine. In the end, the floor routines decided who was going to medal in the event. Raisman's former competitor Aliya Mustafina took bronze, Raisman took silver, and Biles took gold. As the national anthem played, the girls cried, but winning the medals wasn't the best thing about the women's all-around.
The best part was, by far, the dynamic between Biles and Raisman. First, they walked hand in towards where the floor routine event was held. After Raisman's routine left her (and all of us) in tears, Biles rushed over to hug her, telling her not to cry. Similarly, Raisman embraced Biles after her floor routine, which ultimately won the 4'8 gymnast the gold. After Biles' winning score was announced, she jumped back onto the mat to wave at fans. Then, she did what no one expected her to do: call Raisman up to do the same. They also hugged and congratulated their international rivals. Later, Raisman posted this picture on her Instagram:
Despite being competitors, Biles and Raisman showed support, love, and genuine happiness for each other. In a world where women are other women's biggest critics, it's refreshing to see two young women building each other up. This is especially important for the younger viewers who were watching with stars in their eyes as these gorgeous and graceful young ladies perform.
As women, we should stand up for other women, and build them up as much as we can. It doesn't matter who wore it best, or which of us is the prettiest or the best. Biles and Raisman are amazing examples of what we should not only be teaching our children, but also ourselves. We should also teach them, and ourselves, that friends behave in the way that Biles and Raisman did.
Congratulations to Biles and Raisman for their accomplishments!
