Fernanda Roldan. Peninsula 360 Press
Historically, some Olympic disciplines have tended to be dominated by certain countries, which, in order to maintain the dynasty, have resorted to using migrant athletes willing to compete for the nation beyond the stereotype.
Such is the case of the United States in women's artistic gymnastics. The team that represented the country of the ?Stars and Stripes? at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games marked an unprecedented era in the sport of appreciation after winning the second consecutive title in the category, with a score of 184.897, and a margin of 8 points over second place, Russia, 176.688 points, in addition to the 176.003 that kept China in third place.
The story, moreover, holds that among the already famous Final Five three members remained outside the stereotype that American supremacy reigned supreme: Simone Biles, an African-American from Spring, Texas/World Champions Centre; Gabby Douglas, an African-American from Tarzana, California/Buckeye Gymnastics; and Laurie Hernandez, a Puerto Rican immigrant from Old Bridge, New Jersey/MG Elite.
The other two members were Madison Kocian from Dallas, Texas/WOGA Gymnastics; and Aly Raisman from Needham/Brestyan's American Gymnastics.
A recount of the U.S. gymnastics team's victories shows the participation of athletes from many different backgrounds. The first team gold medal was won in Atlanta in 1996, by The Magnificent Sevengymnasts Shannon Miller, Dominique Moceanu, Dominique Dawes (first African-American Olympic gold medalist), Kerri Strug, Amy Chow (first Asian-American Olympic medalist), Amanda Borden and Jaycie Phelps,
Years later, another historic team such as the Fierce FiveThey also won gold in London, 2012, where the presence of Kyla Ross, born in Honolulu, Hawaii, stood out.
Regarding her participation in Rio 2016 as an American athlete born in Puerto Rico, Laurie Hernandez mentioned that "I was just doing my thing without realizing that millions of people were watching me represent the Hispanic community, but I think about America, I think about freedom and the fact that I am able to compete internationally and representing the United States is one of my best skills.
The also silver medal winner, in the individual balance beam competition, urged in 2017 to maintain respect for the athletic conditions beyond racial origin. I hope that after seeing the Rio 2016 Olympic team, they realize that we have whites, Hispanics, African-Americans. We have a diverse team, it's a beautiful thing. Fortunately, no matter what race or color you are, you can aspire to do something great with your life. You can do whatever you set your mind to.....
Within the global support that has the mentality of winning and imposing conditions, sport does not remain isolated; the need to send a message to the world about supremacy today means that in one of the countries with the biggest problems of racism and xenophobia, they accept within their own who, possibly, will deliver them glories and will sound their anthem on an Olympic podium.
