I’ve not seen a gymnast like her in my lifetime.

I was a gymnast. At 4'9" tall, I favored the uneven bars and never really liked the floor.

But she made me like it! Her floor routine was amazing and captivating. Suddenly — while I watch this woman — I finally understood that the floor was the one true test of the gymnast.

No tools, no props, nothing to bounce off, balance on or swing between… just her, using her own strength — her own space inside the universe.

THE FLOOR WAS HER BITCH!

And I loved every single second of it.

She deserves every award. She worked so hard and I want to honor that gift. I couldn’t know (none of us can) what was in her mind as she stood there lip-singing.

But I cried with her. Then I got angry because it didn’t look like the tears of joy and pride she had earned. People are already writing about this as if her crying is a signal of disrespect!

Just google it. I’m not posting that garbage, because it is COMPLETE BULLSHIT! Fuck! I am so mad. I knew they would do that to her! We are sick people! We should be ashamed!

SHE IS AN AMERICAN CITIZEN.

SHE STOOD WITH DIGNITY AND REVERENCE.

And the thing is, you don’t have to, shouldn’t have to, be an athlete of Simone’s caliber to be regarded as such. She had nothing to prove, but she proved it anyway.

And I just want to hug her so tight. And thank her for her hard work, dedication and ability to show up for me — representing our country — with so much integrity.