My Experience as a Competitive Gymnast

There’s been a lot of talk about the Olympics and about Simone Biles in particular. I applaud her for standing up for her beliefs and staying in touch with her true feelings and mental health. I can’t imagine having the whole world watch as you make decisions that you feel are the best for everyone.

I was a competitive gymnast for many years. I competed during high school and trained under the same coach as an Olympic gymnast. I went on to a well-respected university that is known for sports. I was on the gymnastics team and I was expected to perform and most of all win!

The training and competition were brutal. The coaches wanted us to win above all else. One day I was practicing on the uneven parallel bars. I did an amazing routine and the coach liked it. But she told me to repeat it immediately. I told her I needed a break and then I would do it again. She told me again to repeat the routine. I knew I couldn’t. But she was persistent and I started the routine again. Of course, I fell because I couldn’t catch the bar while doing a very hard move. I fell to the ground and lay there in severe pain. I couldn’t move. She thought I broke my neck. She called an ambulance. She was frantic.

I ended up not breaking my neck but I was seriously injured. Was it all worth it? My coach was only concerned when she thought she might be liable. I’m not saying all coaches are like that because I’ve had great coaches. But I can say that the severe need to compete and not shame an extremely well-known school is brutal.

I’m now older and I have all kinds of injuries especially in my back. I wouldn’t do it again and I don’t blame anyone who needs a break when the time is right. I could never have been as good as Simone Biles and she has already proven herself. She is amazing and I am glad she is doing what she thinks is best.