Simone Biles Would Like You to Not Compare Her to Male Athletes
This is Simone Biles. And her GOLD MEDAL.
Today, the gymnast placed first in the all-around. Despite her otherworldly talent in the sport, she's been on the receiving end of sexist Olympics coverage–one commentator watching her on the uneven bars said, "I think she might even go higher than some of the men." *eyeroll*
Among plentiful sexist reporting of the Games, from men debating about women athletes wearing makeup to referring to a medalist Corey Cogdell-Unrein as the "wife of a Bears' lineman," the most notorious have been comparing female athletes' skills to males. See: Katie Ledecky getting called "the female Michael Phelps."
During an interview after her win, Simone Biles set the record straight, declaring, "I'm not the next Usain Bolt or Michael Phelps. I'm the first Simone Biles." Cue ALL the applause.
She's in a league all on her own.
