And we lost a lot because of that, and I think this is future gymnastics to separate ages. Because kids can do it more than adult. A woman and adult woman can show more than the small kids.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
People assume a lot of things about gymnasts - that the girls work too hard, it's way too much for them, they are too young to work so hard.
Gymnastics is the greatest sport in the world, and one of the hardest, but we have to watch out for domineering male figures who try to belittle and scream at young girls.
It's all too easy when talking about female gymnasts to fall into the trap of infantilizing them, spending more time worrying more about female vulnerability than we do celebrating female strength.
Gymnastics demands so much of our time. We train all week and travel and compete on weekends. The people you're surrounded by really become your second family, your best friends, your sisters. My coach was like a second mother for me.
What's endlessly complicated in thinking about women's gymnastics is the way that vulnerability and power are threaded through the sport.
Gymnastics, especially in my family, is more than a sport. It's our life, it's our careers, it's our family business.
People only see gymnastics on TV and in the Olympics at such an extreme. So it can be intimidating.
Gymnastics is so huge in the Olympics. There are a lot of fans who want to see more.
The thing with gymnastics is people don't always know the events. So they'll ask me about the rings, and I'll have to say, 'Women don't do that.' Or they'll use the wrong words, like horse instead of vault. They get confused.
Because up to sixteen years old you feel gymnastics more. You can show your emotion, grace, like woman gymnastics, not kid's gymnastics. I feel I have good shape, and I can do it elements everything, but, it's not competition for me.