“For me, gymnastics and sports represent more than merely the final outcome.” “We’re rivals and aim to compete,” said four-time Olympic gymnast Ellie Black to Olympics.com earlier this year. “However, you hope to witness everyone performing at their peak and enjoying a truly excellent competition.” You wish to reflect on your competition experience and think, ‘Wow, I truly loved that.’ I formed some wonderful friendships.
“That’s what you wish to reflect on and recognize having accomplished,” Black concluded, her remarks embodying a mindset formed by more than ten years of competing at the top tier.
During the Olympic Games Paris 2024, the 29-year-old Canadian embodied those values by providing comfort to France’s Melanie de Jesus dos Santos following a challenging competition day.
The heartfelt moment was an unplanned expression of humanity that reflected the core of her attitude towards sports.
The meeting took place in a media area following the pair’s qualifying event. Black, already knowledgeable about the emotional ups and downs of gymnastics, did not hesitate upon seeing the visibly distressed French gymnast.
“We were in competition, and I didn’t observe much of what the other rotations were working on, but I did catch a glimpse during the contest,” Black remembered. “France… it was truly a challenging day for them.” We’ve all experienced that. We experience the peak of joy and the depths of sorrow. “We understand what that experience is like; we recognize how challenging it can be.”
De Jesus dos Santos reached Paris with high hopes, her self-assurance strengthened by assisting France in achieving a remarkable team bronze medal at the World Championships the previous year.
However, several falls on the uneven bars from the French squad, notably de Jesus dos Santos, established the mood for the day. The home star stumbled once more on the balance beam and faced difficulties on the floor exercise, eliminating her from contention for the medal rounds.
Thus, when Black and her partner Shallon Olsen encountered de Jesus dos Santos, Black instinctively took the one action she believed could assist.
“I simply wished to wrap her in a warm embrace,” Black stated, her tone colored by compassion. “To be honest, we are all human beings.” We all experience that. We all understand what she was experiencing to a certain degree. Therefore, we aimed to be present as supportive friends.
We aimed to remind her that she is sufficient, and that everyone came to support her – not for specific outcomes, but for her contributions to the sport, her ongoing impact, and her identity as an individual. “They adore her for that.”
Black’s words conveyed a strong message.
“It was simply a reminder that a single day or outcome doesn’t determine her identity or accomplishments in the sport,” she stated.
The instant, recorded on film, echoed well beyond the confines of the arena.
Supporters globally commended Black for her generosity, and in late August, she received the Paris 2024 Fair Play Award – an appropriate tribute for an athlete who represents the essence of sport.
Looking back on the occasion, Black voiced her desire for sport to keep uniting potential rivals on a more personal level. “I believe it was an amazing moment, and during the Olympics, we witnessed many of those high-level sportsmanship instances,” she stated. “I believe that’s an element that has been absent in sports.”