Shame You’re the Best: From the Ears of Women
Simone Biles, the World's Newest G.O.A.T.
Joining the ranks of Serena Williams and Michel Phelps, Simone Biles has earned her title as one of the Greatest of All Time (a G.O.A.T., if you will). On October 13th, Simone Biles achieved her latest medal in Stuttgart, Germany at the World Gymnastics Championship with a score of 15.133. This victory has officially dubbed her as the gymnast with the most medals earned at the World Championship Level with 25 medals- beating Vitaly Scherbo, of Belarus, who earned 23 medals during his career in the 1990s. This makes Biles the greatest gymnast in the world and the greatest gymnast ever.
However, many critics have made a point to create a proverbial ‘rain on her parade’ by pointing out her arrogance and pride towards this new title. They say it paints her as arrogant and undeserving of her own renown. These critiques were not highlighted during the rise of Phelps, Bolt, or Woods, who have been declared G.O.A.T.s within their own right. However, upon her rise in renown, Biles has been consistently critiqued for her pride and her wins, as well as made an example in competition.
Her rise to glory is filled to the brink with obstacles of all sorts, and requires all the fight she has left in her bones after competitions. The biggest question, however, is what is wrong with being proud of being the best? Nothing… if you’re a man.
The Critics and Commentators
As the world applauds Simone Biles for her latest achievement, many are looking down on her for openly celebrating and accepting her own success. One her latest ‘offenses’ being her new personalized leotard at the U.S. classic. Biles’ wore a leotard with a goat, as in G.O.A.T. (Greatest of all Time) on the back as well as her name printed above. Many considered the garment to be cocky and unsportsmanlike to wear, citing that status should be enough for Biles and throwing it in her competition’s face with a customized leotard was unnecessary. Another critique is that she is cocky when referring to herself as ‘the best gymnast there is’. When admitting to her own skills, Biles is referred to as cocky and arrogant. The last, and most recent, offense to her career is the penalization of her performance of a gymnast move duly titled ‘the Biles’. ‘The Biles’ so titled is a gymnast move trademarked and mastered by Simone Biles herself. Upon performing it at the World Championships the judges sought to make an example of her by giving the move a low rating. This being done because the move is so difficult and dangerous that by giving it a low score, other gymnast might be dissuaded from trying it themselves. They referred to the move as reckless and dangerous. Despite this fact, Biles still walked away with a medal.
In comparison to her other Olympic G.O.A.T.S., Biles is one of the most critiqued of those in her ranks. Phelps, Woods, and other male Olympians are highlighted for their achievements, and not their lackings. Many articles are pieces written to excuse them of their own arrogance and mistakes, while many articles are written to condemn Biles for those same issues. These articles cite that Olympians like Phelps have earned their right to arrogance and confidence because they are all-time winners, and they have worked hard for their glory. However, using that same argument, isn’t Biles entitled to her own glory that she’s worked for
Common Trends in Women's Sports
Now, while Biles is singled out for her ‘cockiness’ and ‘arrogance’, she’s far from the only woman in sports who has been. This is a consistent trend throughout sports in which female athletes are held to a different set of standards than men.
In June of 2019 during the Women’s World Cup, the United States Women’s team beat Thailand in a 13-0 close out. However, they were referred to as arrogant and irreverent when they took to a celebration right on the field. Their celebration consisted of screaming and hugging in a manner that was normal for any celebration. However, viewers deemed that, because the score difference was so large, a large and open celebration on the field was completely unnecessary as the Thailand team wept for their loss. They were referred to as ‘ruthless’ and ‘relentless’ despite the fact that it was a major game and a major win for the team. The team’s captain defended her team stating that if it had been a 10-0 from then men’s soccer team, and they had celebrated in the same way, no one would have found a single issue.
In the 2018 U.S. Open, Serena Williams was set to make history with her newest win, but instead was charged with three code violations during the match. She was accused of illegal coaching which set off a rage inside of her that resulted in insulting the umpire and breaking her racket. Those penalties cost her points and ultimately the win. A statement supported by many viewers, as well as retired professional tennis players, says that the umpire was unruly and unnecessarily strict with Williams. Holding her to a strict standard without cause and without relief. Other retired male tennis players came to her defense stating that they had done much worse in comparison and have never been treated as harshly as she was.
These are two of the many examples in which women are held to a higher, stricter standard than men when it comes to sports. They are prevented from celebrating in their victories, from showing ferocity in their games, and acting anything outside of what is deemed ‘ladylike’. However, the fact of the matter is that there is nothing delicate about playing sports. When you play, your blood rises with the adrenaline and your competitive spirit is translated into your movements. When you win, you celebrate with the greatest joy and happiness because this is something you’ve earned with sweat and tears. Between a male athlete and a female athlete there is very little difference in how they play the game and how they react to the results.
The Greatest Gymnast of all Time
Objectively, mathematically, and historically, the fact don’t lie. Simone Biles is the world’s greatest gymnast of all time. Regardless of outsider’s opinions, Biles has earned her right among other hall-of-fame athletes. She is one of many women who have earned to fight for their own glory and bask in their own victories. It’s a great lesson to teach young girls for years to come that it’s okay to take pride in your own victories. So without contest and comparison, Biles is now, without apologies, the greatest gymnast in the world and will stand as the best gymnast for years to come.
