“It was great to spend some time training at the World Champions Centre to prepare for 2024!” Those were the words of a Canadian gymnastics icon after fine-tuning her skills alongside Simone Biles at the Texas-based World Champions Centre (WCC). And judging by her performance in Paris, those sessions clearly paid off.

At the 2024 Olympics, Ellie Black didn’t just participate—she made her presence known. She played a pivotal role in helping Team Canada secure an impressive fifth-place finish in the team final, a remarkable feat, in itself. But she had unfinished business.

Ellie earned her spot in two individual finals—the all-around and the vault—going head-to-head with the best in the world. While the podium proved just out of reach, she delivered a stellar performance, finishing sixth in both events—a result that speaks volumes about her resilience and consistency. If you’re figuring out the Paris Games were Ellie’s swan song, think again. 

At 29 years old, Ellie is far from ready to hang up her leotard. While her GOAT tour companion and training mate Simone Biles, at 27, was on what many dubbed her Redemption Tour in Paris, Ellie was already looking ahead. And not just to the next World Championships or Nationals—she’s eyeing the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Yes, LA. Four years down the line. When many gymnasts would contemplate retirement, Ellie is doubling down. In an interview with Global News, she made her intentions crystal clear: “It’s just about being smart, planning your training, trying to do everything the best you possibly can to build over the next few years as we work towards LA.” 

According to her, a balanced act may help her to attend an Olympic standing in 2028. But it isn’t about picking a time machine and landing three years later. The journey needs to be constructed, brick after brick. That would be challenging. So is Ellie ready to face that challenge? 

The former world champion medalist knows what lies ahead, and she’s ready for it. Her words reflect the wisdom of a seasoned athlete who has seen it all. In a conversation about her future, she acknowledged the long road to Los Angeles 2028, saying: “It’s going to be day to day, obviously. And it’s year by year. It’s four years [away], which is a long time for us and our gymnastics squad.”

And she’s right.

After all, Ellie’s been on this journey since 2011—a staggering 14 years of competing at the highest level. She’s not just collected titles along the way—she’s gained something far more valuable: experience. 

This experience taught her the art of persistence. And the ability to stay on the course when the road gets rocky. Additionally, Ellie has learned that gymnastics isn’t just about skills and scores—it’s about sticking to the grind when no one is watching. The responsibility of carrying her country’s hopes on her shoulders has only made her bolder, more disciplined, and more determined.

And with her sights set on LA, she’s ready to channel every ounce of that hard-earned wisdom into the next chapter of her remarkable career. Would she be able to do that? Perhaps, yes. Her act in the Paris Olympics displayed her nature thoroughly. 

Ellie Black helped Simone Biles in a great way!

The 2024 Paris Olympics delivered its fair share of breathtaking routines and nail-biting moments, but one of the most memorable scenes didn’t come from the podium—it came from the sidelines. When Melanie de Jesus dos Santos, France’s gymnastics star, failed to qualify for the finals, she was visibly heartbroken.

With tears streaming down her face, she struggled to contain her emotions. But in that vulnerable moment, two rival gymnasts became her biggest supporters.

Without hesitation, Ellie Black and Shallon Olsen, both representing Team Canada, rushed over to console Melanie. They wrapped her in a heartfelt embrace, offering comfort in the face of devastation. The image of the trio—the French standout sobbing into Ellie’s shoulder—quickly went viral, capturing the raw, emotional beauty of true sportsmanship.

It’s a moment of grace recognized worldwide.

The scene resonated far beyond the gymnastics community. Moreover, Simone Biles praised her by giving a shoutout to the Canadian duo for their compassion. Even the International Fair Play Committee and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) took notice, awarding Ellie and Shallon for their exceptional sportsmanship and spirit.

But for Ellie, the recognition wasn’t the point. It wasn’t an achievement to her—it was simply human nature. In a conversation with Olympics.com in December, she downplayed the attention, saying: “It was a really hard day for them (France). All of us have been through that. We go through the highest of highs, and the lowest of lows.”

When she saw Melanie in tears, Ellie didn’t see a competitor—she saw a fellow athlete in pain. She mentioned, “I just wanted to give her a big hug.” And sometimes, that’s all it takes. More than medals, some would say!

In a sport measured by tenths of a point, Ellie Black’s greatest triumph in Paris wasn’t her performance on the mat, it was her kindness on the sidelines. That moment quickly reminded us that while medals may glitter, empathy and compassion truly shine ahead.

Hopefully, LA 2028 will also enjoy a similar sense of camaraderie.