American Women Triumph in Rio

by Leah Carpenter

With the Olympic Women’s Gymnastics coming to a close, the Americans take home the gold. The team was consisted of Simone Biles, Gabby Douglas, Laurie Hernandez, Madison Kocian and Aly Raisman.

Simone Biles, a new face in the gymnastics world, took gold for the Individual All-Around, the vault and the floor exercise. “I’m out to prove what I’m capable of,” said Biles.

Biles is now the most decorated women in United States history with 19 World/Olympic medals. She ties for the most gold medals in a single Olympic Games with Larisa Latynina.

Throughout the 2016 Rio games, Biles was compared to athletes Usian Bolt and Michael Phelps with her legacy and success. She said she is like no one but herself. “I’m not the next Usian Bolt or Michael Phelps. I’m the first Simone Biles,” said Biles.

Along side Biles were teammates Gabby Douglas and Aly Raisman are returning Olympians from London 2012.

Raisman returned as the gold medalist from the London 2012 Olympics. She did not medal after a tiebreaker for the All-Around. Many did not think that Raisman would return to the Olympics let alone qualify for Individual All-Around.

Raisman received the silver medal for Individual All-Around and floor exercise in Rio. “I’m happy I proved everyone wrong,” said Raisman about her return to the Olympics.

The USA Women’s Gymnastics Team took home the gold medal for Team All-Around with a team total of 184.897. Russia was the closest to Team USA with a score of 176.688.