Reigning Olympic champion Simone Biles made a record breaking win at the US Gymnastics Championships this weekend, while standing up for sexual abuse survivors. Something that USA Gymnastics did not do.
Biles delivered an impressive performance for just her second competition after her 23-month break. The total two day score was 119.850, 6 points higher than runner up Morgan Hurd. Hurd had won the all-around title last year. Biles not only won the all-around title for the competition, but she also won gold in all four events.
According to Team USA, Biles is the first woman to win five national all-around titles, since Dominique Dawes in 1994.
What a night for @Simone_Biles, the 2018 U.S. national all-around champion! #USGymChampspic.twitter.com/KKkLJGuicA
— USA Gymnastics (@USAGym) August 20, 2018
Biles said she wore a teal-colored leotard on Sunday night to acknowledge all the gymnasts who were sexually abused by former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar. Teal is the color for sexual abuse survivors. Back in January, Biles revealed that she was abused by the longtime gymnastics physician, along with her other Final Five teammates.
“[The color] is for the survivors,” Biles said to The Associated Press. “I stand with all of them and I think it’s kind of special to unite [people].”
USA Gymnastics did not address or recognize sexual abuse survivors of Nassar at the competition as expected, according to USA Today. President Kerry Perry has remained quiet on the issue, according to Huffington Post, but on Sunday said, “I would hope that [the athletes] know that I and all of the leaderships have their best interests in mind.”
Simone Biles of course represented in the most powerful way possible.
