In 2022, a 10-year-old black gymnast was turned away from an event in Dublin by a judge. Following the unjust racial discrimination experienced during a medal presentation, the gymnast has rightfully earned a scholarship to Princeton University. The incident has now opened the door for a brighter future for the talented athlete, sparking significant criticism, particularly after Simone Biles spoke. Biles said, “There is no room for racism in any sport or at all.“

The international uproar was triggered when the gymnast was the only black girl to be passed over for a medal. Gymnastics Ireland was harshly criticized for the way it handled the matter. The organization postponed apologizing for about 18 months and did not participate in mediation with the girl’s family. Many in the gymnastics world felt that this was an insufficient and disrespectful response.

At first, the girl and her family were prevented from receiving a direct apology from the volunteer judge. This fueled the debate and cast Gymnastics Ireland in a bad light. Despite their obvious sorrow, the family persevered through the event. However, regarding the girl’s scholarship at Princeton, the girl’s mother said, “I’m still in shock myself because the opportunity is so great, it’s amazing. The whole thing, honestly, is beyond words.“

Despite obstacles, the young gymnast persisted in being the best in her discipline. Now, the little one is a 12-year-old displaying stunning moves in different sports like javelin, high jump, shot put, running, and gymnastics. It is impossible to exaggerate Simone Biles’ significance in this story. Biles’s protest of the event raised awareness of the problem throughout the world and stressed the need for reform and accountability in sports.

Because of Biles’s backing, the young gymnast’s challenges gained further attention and support. However, Princeton’s scholarship for the young gymnast points to her skill. The prestigious Ivy League university, known for its stellar academic record and illustrious graduates like Michelle Obama and Jeff Bezos, has identified budding gymnasts’ potential. This is a big turning point in her path since it gives her the chance to grow.

Moreover, Dr. Harry Edwards International Foundation on Sport for Social Change’s Ken McCue praised the athlete but blasted national sports authorities for their poor handling of the incident. Afterward, Gymnastics Ireland released a statement expressing their happiness for the youthful gymnast’s accomplishments and their best wishes for the future. Her ongoing participation in their tournaments was also hailed, showing her commitment to the sport despite previous errors.

Simone Biles as a mental health advocate

Famous for winning 7x medals at the Olympics, Simone Biles was randomly pushed into another role as a mental health advocate during the Tokyo 2020 Games. In a 2021 exclusive interview with Olympics.com, Biles discussed the lasting effects of her choice to put her mental health first in the face of the extreme pressures of competition.

Biles garnered international attention at the Olympics when she withdrew from many competitions, citing the need to prioritize her mental health. These events included the apparatus finals and the team all-around. This choice, motivated by her description of having the “twisties,” which is a condition common to gymnasts, prompted an important discussion on mental health in sports.

In the conversation, Biles said, “I knew that I could have the possibility of becoming an advocate for mental health, but it wasn’t my goal.“ She accepted her new position despite the difficulties, seeing it as a chance to help others going through a similar situation. She said, “Everybody goes through that process differently,” highlighting the significance of tailored methods for providing mental health care.

Biles credited her support network, including her parents, and coaches, for her perseverance during this time. Despite social pressure to avoid risk, she highlighted the importance of asking for and receiving aid. She added, “Us as humans, we hate asking for help. We think we can do it on our own, but sometimes we just can’t,” promoting the use of existing support networks. Thus, Biles’ impact has aided in bringing about assistance and change for individuals dealing with mental health issues and discrimination.