On August 11, 2016, a young gymnast took her starting position on the floor in the individual women’s all-around final at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The crowd knew it was about to see something special. The spectators were witnessing history being made. Before them was then three-time world and four-time national all-around champion Simone Biles. The four foot-eight-inch nineteen-year-old from Spring, Texas, was ninety seconds away from her dream of winning gold coming true.
For a women’s artistic gymnast, a medal in the all-around competition is the most highly prized of the six events in the Olympic Games. Only the two highest-scoring gymnasts from each national team are allowed to take part. Simone was on a winning streak, unbeaten in all-around competition since 2013, and she was determined to win again.
Simone had nailed her floor routine in practice countless times, but no matter how often she and her teammates told each other that it was “just like practice” to calm their nerves, pulling off the routine in a competition was different.
Comprehension Questions
1. What is Simone Biles?
A. A police officer.
B. A gymnast.
C. A history teacher.
A. They shake it out and do a little dance to warm up.
B. They look at all of their medals they have already won.
C. They tell each other "its just like practice."
Your Thoughts
Vocabulary
4. List any vocabulary words below.