Women's gymnastics is changing in more ways than one [View all]

After the U.S. Gymnastics Championships last weekend, many of the headlines focused on Simone Biles, who had just won a record eighth title.

But looking at the top finishers more broadly, it's clear that elite women's gymnastics is changing in some big ways — in terms of race, age and collegiate competition — and moving the sport forward.

The top six women at the meet were Black or Asian American. On the men's side, too, the top three were Black or Asian American.

It's a far cry from the 1980s and '90s, say Betty Okino and Dominique Dawes. They were the first African American Olympic gymnastics medalists, as part of the bronze-winning 1992 team in Barcelona.

https://www.npr.org/2023/09/02/1197287064/womens-gymnastics-is-changing-in-more-ways-than-one

It's also changing in style, which I heartily applaud. No more skinny "baby ballerinas"! Bring on the "power packs" like Simone who can still be graceful!