Black Girl Magic At The Olympics

Can Rio handle all of Team USA’s melanin? Of course they can.

BG magic

 

I am not an athleteβ€”in fact I don’t have one athletic bone in my body. I once got into an argument with my tee ball coach about the logistics of hitting the ball, then running in a circle just to get back to the same place I started. I was 5, and clearly destined for another path.

 

But I always admired athletes from afar, my dad and uncles played football, my mom and aunts played softball, my brother played soccerβ€”and I, well I was the theatre kid. I could ACT like I was sprinting. I could act like I was swimming. I would act out gymnastics routines and pretend to hit the tennis ball back and forth. Well, I’m still that girl, but I’ve gained a new sense of pride as I’m seeing more and more Olympians who look like me, with hair like mineβ€”regular black girls, just like me. They may not know me personally, but I appreciate their hustle, dedication, perseverance and strength because I see them all as role models, not only for me, but for many girls across the country.

 

Anyways, enough about me – here’s a list of the black girls to watch at this year’s Olympics in Rio!

 

Simone Biles –Β Gymnastics

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Tori Bowie-Β Track and Field – Long Jump, 100m, 200m

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Michelle Carter –Β Track & Field Shot Put

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Vashti Cunningham –Β Track and Field – High Jump

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Gabrielle Douglas –Β Gymnastics

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Allyson Felix-Β Track and Field – Sprinter

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English Gardner-Β Track and Field – Sprinter

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Brittney Griner-Β Basketball

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Dawn Harper-Nelson-Β Track and Field – 100m Hurdles

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Ashleigh Johnson-Β Water Polo – Goalkeeper

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ShamierΒ Little –Β Track and Field – 400m Hurdles

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Simone Manuel-Β Swimming

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Alysia MontaΓ±o-Β Track and Field – Middle Distance Runner

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Maya Moore –Β Basketball

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Lia Neal –Β Swimming – Freestyle Events

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Candice Parker –Β BasketballΒ 

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ClaressaΒ Shields-Β Boxing

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Serena Williams –Β Tennis

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Venus Williams –Β Tennis

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AjeeΒ Wilson-Β Track and Field – Middle Distance

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Get it girls! U-S-A! U-S-A!

 

-Shanda

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