Did you get a chance to watch the Olympics at all while they were going on? Perhaps you didn’t get to watch them, but instead you watched the news, and saw recaps of the events instead? Maybe you just saw who took what place on Facebook or Twitter. Well one thing is for sure, whether you saw it or not, the USA dominated in the Olympics. The Olympics ended with the USA taking home a total medal count of 116 medals; 43 Gold, 37 Silver, and 36 Bronze.
Some of these medals helped create world records as well Olympic records. These medals helped create champions; these medals helped prove that the USA had what it took to come out on top. These medals helped some Athletes stand up for what they believe in.
Among these Olympic Champions was swimmer Lilly King. Someone who spoke her mind during interviews and let the world know that she is against the use of illegal substances. King spoke up to speak her mind about a female swimmer from a different country, knowing that there were USA competitors that had used illegal substances as well. Lilly stayed true to herself throughout her races and competitions and was able to come out with a gold.
Two others that swept the competition and stole the spot light in the Olympics were swimmers Katie Ledecky and Michael Phelps. Michael Phelps is no new swimmer to the Olympics. He has been competing in the past five summer Olympics. He is currently known as the most decorated Olympian with 28 Olympics medals. Katie Ledecky however is a new star who won four gold medals and one silver.
The Swimmers are not the only ones who took home medals after the Rio Summer Olympic Games. Did you keep tabs on any of the gymnastic events or track and fields? Did you know that in one of the women track and field events, the USA shut out all of the other countries and took home the bronze, silver and gold? That’s right, the 100m hurdle was dominated by three USA women.
Ever heard of Simone Biles, the 4-foot-9 gymnastic champion. After her first Olympic Competition, she is coming home with four gold medals and one bronze. Last Summer Olympics, the 5 USA Gymnastic competitors were called the fierce five, but this summer the three new gymnasts and two returns are called the finale five. They dominated in floor routine, beams, vault, and uneven bars. Not only did Simone become one of the most decorated Olympians in this summer’s games, but she had a returning gymnastic competitor by her side. Aly Raisman was a gymnast on both the fierce five and the final five, and she helped team USA bring home more medals.
Although team USA dominated another Summer Olympics, there is one thing that has been bothering me the past few weeks while all these events were taking place. The women that won these events, they weren’t recognized the way the men were. Any time a man, whether or not they were competing for the USA or not, won any event, they would be highlighted in the next newspaper or issue of TIME magazine. When a women won, they wouldn’t be given the same attention. Instead the women would be referenced to men. Oh the “Michael Jordan of gymnastics” or “Her husband helped make her who she is and helped her win the gold.” Why are we women athletes not recognized for our strengths in sports. These athletes train as hard as the men, and push themselves the same way. They have the same dedication and motivation as men, so why are they not recognized the same way?
The USA won a total of 116 gold medals! Medals won by both men and women. Medals that were won because of the hard work and dedication that these athletes trained for. Medals that were won because team USA worked together to prove to the rest of the world that we had what it took. Team USA showed the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics that we were united. Something that team USA will show for years to come!
