The Resilient Spirit of Women’s Gymnastics
At the women’s gymnastics floor event medal ceremony in Paris this past August, the USA’s Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles bowed down to the gold medalist from Brazil, Rebeca Andrade, as she stepped up on the podium. The sportsmanship demonstrated in that moment truly encompasses the Olympic spirit. Three of the best in their field supporting each other and lifting up their collective successes. As the first ever all black Olympic gymnastics podium received their flowers, the emotion radiated throughout the whole world. The most beautiful power of the Olympics stems from how we come together to cheer on and celebrate the talent, hard work, and perseverance of athletes from across the globe.
Women’s gymnastics, for one, was a comeback story for many this year. Biles famously quit the sport after Tokyo to care for her mental health before mounting a triumphant return at an age often considered too old for a gymnast. Going on to become the most decorated gymnast in history, she added three golds and one silver to her collection for a total of 11 Olympic medals.
Fellow American Suni Lee began training for Paris only six months prior to hitting the mat after entering remission for two rare kidney disorders. She fought her way back to earn team gold, individual all-around bronze, and uneven bars bronze. Competing by her side on uneven bars, Kaylia Nemour won gold for Algeria, marking the first ever gymnastics medal for Africa. Meanwhile, Andrade suffered three ACL tears in four years. A setback that would knock most people out. But she returned to the Olympic stage to earn the title of most decorated Brazilian athlete across any sport, men or women.
Stronger Together
The Olympic motto, “Citius, Altius, Fortius – Communiter,” translates to “Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together” in English. While the core of the motto first came about at the 1896 Athens Games, the final word got added in 2021 to recognize the unifying power of sports and the importance of solidarity.
Behind this message lives the greatest aspect of sports, especially in the high school arena. Regardless of how exciting victories and championships are, the truest power of competition comes from the grit, comradery, and sense of accomplishment. Any athlete who makes it to the Olympics has dedicated years to training, which builds a strength and resilience that translates to every aspect of life. They all hope to return home with a medal, but even for those who do not, their stories can inspire us to keep pushing forward.
Every Olympics, we do not only see displays of support and celebration among teammates, but across the games. Rivals compete with everything they have then proceed to hail those who beat them. The stands of any event are often filled with athletes from other sports cheering on their peers. And at home, millions of people watch with bated breath as they root for their country.
The Olympic Spirit in Your Halls
Even though the Games are a display of the best of the best every two years, the Olympic Movement can also guide us daily. By placing sport at the service of humanity, it upholds the balance between body and mind that can inspire anyone anywhere to push to the next level through determination and cooperation. The three central principles of the Olympic Spirit – Excellence, Respect, and Friendship – encourage us to reach higher together.
The core value of high school sports is rarely its role in becoming a steppingstone toward a professional career. More often, our student athletes go onto a variety of other ventures after graduating, but wherever their journeys lead, they will carry with them the lessons gained from playing. Therefore, it is our duty – as their coaches, teachers, parents, and communities – to ensure the right traits are instilled for their futures.
A few of these tenets we can practice and build in our students today include:
- Celebration – Cheer on each other’s achievements with genuine joy and enthusiasm. Get excited about what excites those around you, whether their talents rest in athletics, academics, or arts.
- Compassion – Treat yourself with kindness and grace when you struggle or fall short then extend that same care to teammates, peers, students, and all those in your circle of influence.
- Connect – Draw inspiration from family, friends, and those who have walked the path before you. Take time to listen to and honor everyone’s stories.
- Participate – The Olympic Creed states that, “The most important thing is not to win but to take part.” Show up and encourage others to follow suit. When kids and adults alike get more involved, they also find a greater sense of purpose and wellbeing.
As we await the next Winter Games in Italy 2026 and Summer Games right here in the USA 2028, we can carry with us the Olympic Spirit in all we do. We can lift each other up and keep pushing forward as a team on and off the field.
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