Simone Wins Gold! Beginning of New Era in Female African-American Excellence

As the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro begin to conclude the first full week of competition, there is no doubt that the regular world-class male athletes have continued to make headlines, from the record-holding gold medals of Michael Phelps to the 3–0 record of the US men’s basketball team. One thing is for sure, the excellence of female competitors, particular African-American women have stolen the show for the US.

In an era where there are certainly more opportunities than there used to be for women in sports, two African-American women are taking that level of excellence to another level. 19-year-old Ohio native Simone Biles has not only contributed, but dominated for the US in gymnastics, winning gold in women’s all-around and women’s team all-around. With four more events to complete over the next few days, she has certainly put her stamp on the gymnastics world and made a mark on the excellence of African-American women in predominantly white sports. Another US competitor by the name of Simone Manuel made history by becoming the first African-American female to win an Olympic individual swimming event, winning gold in the 100m freestyle. The accomplishments of both these women will only motivate younger African-American female athletes to pursue predominantly white sports and excel in those sports. While African-American female participation in the NCAA has increased by almost 1,000% since Title IX over 30 years ago, the majority of those athletes do track and field and basketball.

Two great African-American female athletes of the 20th century are Wilma Rudolph and Lisa Leslie. Including all of her WNBA achievements, Lisa Leslie excelled on the global stage with four Olympic gold medals and two world championships, only resulting in more popularity in the sport for minority female athletes. The same can be said with Wilma Rudolph, who overcame several obstacles from poverty to polio, in order to become the first American woman to win three gold medals in track and field in the 1960 Summer Olympics. Both of these athletes were remarkable on the court and track, but proved to be even more remarkable outside of their respective sports as voices for younger black female athletes.

Not many feel interested in playing other sports or do not feel they can succeed in those other sports due to the exceedingly low numbers of black female athletes in sports such as swimming, gymnastics, and tennis. With the excellence of Simone Biles and Manuel, the achievements of Gabby Douglas in the past two Olympics, along with the dominance of the Williams sisters in tennis over the past decade, these pioneers for female black athletic excellence will only provide hope for younger kids hoping to excel in predominantly white sports. These ladies will continue to be role models for the younger generation, and their every move will make an impact on the younger generation. After Simone Manuel’s victory in Rio de Janeiro Thursday night, she spoke on police brutality and how she hopes to inspire others. Female black athletes are not only judged for their athletic performance, but also for the way they conduct themselves outside of competition, judged considerably harsher than the average female athlete. It is important for athletes such as Manuel to show white America why female black athletes deserve more opportunities and deserve to be held to the same standards as every other athlete. Manuel’s post-game interview showed that she has her head on straight and that she can be a voice for our community.

Role models and leaders such as these will only provide a path for excellence for future black female athletes. With more excellence, on and off the field, pool, and court of these athletes, only more opportunities and more excellence will soon follow. The black community needs to understand the history that these women are making, and how much they will impact black female excellence 30 years down the road. Simone Biles, Simone Manuel, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Gabby Douglas, and every other female African-American athlete, we stand by you and truly thank you for all you’ve done for our community. For all the younger female black athletes out there, use these athletes as inspiration that any and everything is possible, no matter what strangleholds and setbacks society may try to put on the female African-American athlete.