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Sports and DEI
The U.S. Women’s Gymnastics Team Illustrates the Value of Diversity
The best will rise to the top when provided opportunities
As an American, I take immense pride in the historic achievements of the U.S. Women’s gymnastics team at the Paris Olympics. Their triumphant return to the top, winning the gold medal with a dominant performance, is a moment that fills many Americans with a sense of pride. The United States’ victory, with a score of 171.296 points, finished ahead of second-place Italy by almost 6 points! Brazil won the bronze, the country’s first-ever Olympic medal in women’s gymnastics.
The victory placed the women back on top after they finished with a silver medal in the Tokyo Olympics without Biles. Their journey, marked by unwavering resilience and determination, culminated in this triumphant return to the top. The second-place finish in 2021 was the first time the Americans didn’t finish in first place since 2008, when they won silver at the Beijing Games.
As I witnessed these extraordinary women perform and the love poured out on them by thousands of adoring fans, I was not only in awe of their individual talents but also deeply moved by their unbreakable unity and camaraderie. With its diverse members, this team is a shining example of what can be achieved when we come together, fostering a profound sense of connection and unity among us all.
DEI and the rise of diversity in American gymnastics
Gymnastics, a sport long associated in the U.S. with white athletes, has seen a dramatic shift in recent years with the likes of Simone Biles, Sunisa Lee, Jordan Chiles, Hezly Rivera, Asher Hong, and Frederick Richard representing its changing face at the Paris Olympics.
According to USA Gymnastics, the U.S. women’s team is the most racially diverse in history, with four of its five members having Black, Asian, or Hispanic backgrounds, while the bronze-winning U.S. men’s team is the most diverse team since 2012. Led by star Frederick Richard, the team of Asher Hong, Paul Juda, Brody Malone and Stephen Nedoroscik is the first to win a team gymnastics event at the Games since the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The 20-year-old Richard…
