What would the 2016 Olympics be with a sprinkle of Melanin, Brown Sugar and Magic—Black Girl Magic that is. If you have even paying the minimal amount of attention to the games this summer then by now you have heard of the dominance and recordsetting trends of these ladies. Simone Biles (Gymnastics), Simone Manuel (Swimming), Jenny Arthur (Weightlifting) and Michelle Carter (Track & Field/Shot Put) landed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with Team USA and let everyone know they were not there to play but to slay.
Simone Biles
Simone Biles is a gymnastics phenom, who did not let down the building anticipation for her performances in Rio. She won the all-around gold as well as gold with her Team USA Gymnastics teammates. A three-time world champion in the all-around and a four-time U.S. all-around champion, Biles has won 14 world medals (10 gold, two silver, two bronze), and is the most decorated U.S. female gymnast.
Simone Manuel
Simone Manuel set the bar when she became the first black female swimmer to win an Olympic gold medal, tieing at 52.70 seconds, a new Olympic record. After her win, Manuel, in tears, acknowledged her historic win and unselfishly claimed it for all before her in hopes of inspiring others.
Jenny Arthur
Jenny Arthur, already a record holder in clean & jerk and the first athlete named to the U.S. women’s weightlifting team, finished sixth in the women’s 75kg weightlifting competition and set a new American record with her 107kg snatch.
Michele Carter
Michelle Carter, also know as “Shot Diva” (www.shotdiva.com) is an Olympic champion and has excelled in her field since high-school. She has awards to prove it and she added another when she won the gold at this years’ Olympics and broke a record.
Biles, Manuel and Carter all hail from Texas while Arthur is originally from Georgia.
And Team USA isn’t the only ones making waves.
Elaine Thompson
Elaine Thompson is a Jamaican sprinter who won the gold medal in the women’s 100-meter final. She is also the winner of silver at the 2015 World Championships and while in high-school was kicked off her Track & Field team, she is now considered to be the fastest woman in the world.
*Updates Brianna Rollins, Nia Ali, and Kristi Castlin – 100-meter Hurdles Sweep #goteamusa
Do you know any other ladies slaying in Rio? Let us know!
Continue to follow the games at www.rio2016.com.
