This is flipping awesome!
Black people in gymnastics have been on the rise, but now we’re finally getting a look into the other side. Black women like Dominique Dawes, Diane Durham, Gabby Douglas, and so many more created a path for excellence in this sport. Last year, Konnor McClain, Shilese Jones and Jordan Chiles brought the Black girl magic to the U.S. Gymnastics Championships, securing the top three spots in the senior all-around competition. McClain, Jones and Chiles made history as the first three Black female gymnasts to sweep the podium.
Within a year, these young women dominated while more history was being made in the gymnastics world; Fisk University and Talladega College now have a women’s gymnastics team, adding more diversity to the rigid sport.
The trio had a chance to sit down with Arielle Chambers from Team USA to discuss the magnitude of their historic moment and how gymnastics as a whole has progressed and shaped them as Black women. When asked about the future of gymnastics for gymnasts of color, Chiles stated she’s manifesting a Black girl magic competition with Black women gracing the bar, stage, and podium!
We hope to see all these dynamic women at Paris 2024!
Photo: AP Photo/Mike Carlson
🇺🇸GO TEAM USA