Fifteen-year-old Ella Velez’s favorite gymnastics event is vault. The vault is quick, and she doesn’t have to think very much about what she’s doing unlike other, slower events like the balance beam. But for the past couple of years, Velez has had to be focused on regulating her blood sugar every time she performs gymnastics. But a longtime endocrinologist based in Columbus, Dr. Steven Leichter, helped Piedmont Columbus Regional Midtown become one of the first medical facilities in the country to administer a new treatment designed to delay the onset of Type 1 diabetes.
The U.S. women won a record seventh consecutive team title at the gymnastics world championships. The team of Biles, Shilese Jones, Skye Blakely and Leanne Wong edged out Brazil and France.
Simone Biles, 26, is now the only U.S. woman ever chosen for six World Championships. The star gymnast is heading back to Antwerp, where she competed in her first Worlds in 2013.
What had once been a sport associated largely with white girls is increasingly dominated by women of color. And more elite gymnasts are competing in the NCAA while they go for the gold.
Biles became the oldest woman to win a national title since USA Gymnastics began organizing the event in 1963. Her eight crowns moved her past Alfred Jochim, who won seven between 1925-33.
Biles' return is great news for USA Gymnastics, which just announced a new sponsorship deal with Nike. Also returning is Suni Lee, who took home the Olympic all-around gold after Biles dropped out.
Nashville-based Fisk University will make history this week when the school's women's gymnastics team becomes the first historically Black college or university to compete at the NCAA level.
The group of women and girls say the bureau failed to properly follow up on credible claims against the sports doctor Larry Nassar in 2015, which allowed him to continue abusing victims.
The letter has become widely regarded as a symbol of support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Russian military vehicles participating in the invasion have donned the letter.
The two groups and their insurers agreed to a monetary payout and reforms to prevent future abuse in a major settlement with hundreds of gymnasts abused by the former U.S. team doctor
"It was too much," Biles said of enduring years of media coverage of disgraced former team doctor Larry Nassar. "But I was not going to let him take something I've worked for since I was 6 years old."
"We are so excited to confirm that you will see two U.S. athletes in the balance beam final tomorrow - Suni Lee AND Simone Biles!!" USA Gymnastics said. Biles has withdrawn from other events.
This competition was initially defined by who wasn't competing. U.S. star Simone Biles, the greatest gymnast of all time and the heavy favorite to win, pulled out to take care of her mental health.
After her surprise withdrawal from the gymnastics team final at the Tokyo Olympics, the star American gymnast amplified recent statements that the immense stress she faces has been affecting her.