Olympic games inspire local gymnasts to reach for gold

By Kirsten Stokes

The sound of the spring floor and the vibrations of the beam are enough to know that gymnasts at St. Joseph’s MEGA gymnastics work hours every week learning skills to prepare them to be elite athletes in the future.

As the 2024 Summer Olympics are underway, young gymnasts in St. Joseph have been excited to see some of their favorites take to all four events and bring home the gold.

“My favorite gymnast is Jordan Chiles. When she gets hurt, she still tries stuff and she doesn’t give up … she keeps going,” said gymnast Scarlett Short.

Gymnast Lucy Paolillo favors another Team USA Olympian.

“Jade Carey, because I think she’s very talented, and I really like her floor routine,” Paolillo said.

The Olympic team, made up of lead Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey and Hezly Rivera, won the gold medal for Team USA on Tuesday.

However, as athletes from around the world watch their inspirations accomplish goals that were years in the making, it doesn’t come without challenges.

“Sometimes there’s times where I just want to quit, but there are other times where I just want to keep going,” Short said. “And when I feel like I want to quit and I’m having a bad day, my friends just come and support me.”

To watch their favorite athletes at the games is one thing, but to have the potential skill to do it is another. So, when asked about their plans in gymnastics, the athletes shared different aspirations.

“My goal is to get my vault better because last year I was kind of struggling with it. So, I really want to get better because then that can help with my all-around scoring,” Paolillo said.

“I want to get my roundoff back handspring on the floor,” said Addy Collier, gymnast.

Whether the goals are short- or long-term, local gymnasts can look up to Team USA as they put in the work to hopefully be on the podium in a few years.