Days before the 2019 U.S. Gymnastics National Championships, Simone Biles celebrated her two-year anniversary with boyfriend and former National Team gymnast, Stacey Ervin. Though the most decorated American gymnast uses social media to share her triumphs and joys, her raw emotion was evident on the floor following podium training.
Through tears, she said of USA Gymnastics, ” We’ve done everything they asked us for, even when we didn’t want to. And they couldn’t do one damn job. You had one job. You literally had one job, and you couldn’t protect us.” She further expounded on the significance of USAG’s inaction saying, ” It’s hard to talk about. It’s really hard to talk about. I just feel like … I don’t mean to cry, but it’s just … it’s hard coming here for an organization and having had them fail us so many times.” And again, ” It’s not easy being out here, because I feel like every day is a reminder of what I went through, what I’ve been through, and what I’m going through and how I’ve come out of it.”
There was truly not a dry eye among those in the chalk covered circle surrounding Simone.
And yet, through all the pain and through each failure that the National Governing Body throws her way, she still thrives. Biles unveiled two new skills including a triple double on floor and a double double tuck off beam. If she successfully competes both skills at the World Championships in Stuttgart this fall, they would be named after her, totaling 4 skills named Biles in the Code of Points. She added that she only did one double double tuck onto competition mats before adding it into her routine.
Her future shines equally as bright with poise and humor as she joked that she still hates bars and reiterated that her trust is in her coach, Laurant. “Laurant makes the Impossible, possible,” said Simone. The impossible may, in fact, arrive next year when Simone could have a skill named after her on every event with Laurant’s ingenuity and her superiority. While the NGB that she competes under continues to struggle under the weight and failings of the past, the sky is the limit for Simone. Truly, no one has been more worthy of a sparkling GOAT on the back of their leotard like the one Simone wore during podium training.
Emotional @Simone_Biles expresses frustration toward USA gymnastics at the 2019 U.S. Championships. pic.twitter.com/eM9ameQw6e
— Olympic Channel (@olympicchannel) August 7, 2019
