Posted on 12/26/2019 3:05:04 PM PST by packrat35
They’re called “Simone Things,” a catchall phrase for the casual ease with which Simone Biles seems to soar through her sport and her life.
The irony, of course, is that there’s nothing casual or easy about it. Any of it. The greatest gymnast of all time and 2019 Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year only makes it seem that way.
Those jaw-dropping routines that are rewriting her sport's code of points and redefining what can be done on the competition floor? Born from a mix of natural talent, hard work and a splash of ego.
(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...
She’s a gymnast so I reckon she must be XX.
Thank God it’s an actual female!
So glad it wasn't that attention whore harpy Rapinoe.
Is this a JOKE? Biles is excellent, but won only 3 gold Olympic medals (plus one as part of winning USA team).
By contrast Nadia Comaneci won FIVE individual golds in 1976, including the first of only four PERFECT 10 scores in Olympic history.
I agree...Glad it wasn’t the Lezzie soccer player...
Congratulations Simone Biles!
She’s black, so of course she’s the “greatest ever.” Yawn
I know virtually nothing of gymnastics, but, what you say is good for discussion, as far as Nadia being among the all time greats. Her Olympic records speak for themselves.
Routines have gotten exponentially more difficult in the decades since Comaneci competed.
“She’s black, so of course she’s the “greatest ever.” Yawn”
Someone could easily claim that Biles is the best no matter what her race. Her accomplishments in gymnastics are astounding.
Yes they have. Simone is amazing. She just flows and makes it seem like it’s all so easy.
Even Nadia would concede that Simone’s routines are an order of magnitude more difficult than anything she did back in the 70’s. Nadia pushed the limits of her time, but 1976 Nadia wouldn’t even sniff a medal today. Nadia was the best of her generation, and in 1976, maybe the best of all time. But gymnastics has evolved into a different sport. No longer is “smooth, fluid and graceful” critical to scoring. Instead, it’s strength, athleticism, complexity, and incredible acrobatic feats. Note that Biles’ beam dismount, a move that she is currently the only person capable of performing really well, and is thus named “the Biles” was downgraded in scoring standards to discourage other gymnasts from attempting it due to injury risk. Many, if not most people consider Simone Biles the GOAT, but comparing her to Nadia is difficult considering they effectively competed in different sports.
Biles has won a ton of world championship gold medals. Beyond that, the scoring system is different now and emphasizes difficulty. The only “Perfect 10s” these days are at the collegiate level (NCAA) which uses a different scoring system. Elite international gymnastics has undergone a huge transformation.
A lot of this has to do with training also. A lot has been learned since 1976, and Nadia today would benefit from that as well. She may fare a lot better than you think.
Maybe, but she didn't have the frame or build to complete the higher difficulty, more athletic moves of today. She was amazing in her time, but it's a different sport today. Is it possible she would do well? Sure. As well as she did? Not a chance.
[By contrast Nadia Comaneci won FIVE individual golds in 1976, including the first of only four PERFECT 10 scores in Olympic history.]
https://oklahoman.com/article/3867856/nadia-comaneci-feels-at-home-in-oklahoma
Thanks for the mention and the link. Much appreciated.
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