Top 5 Olympic Black Athletes; A Gold Standard

Top 5 Olympic Black Athletes; A Gold Standard

The Olympic Tokoyo Games made history again. This time, here are the top 5 Olympic Black athletes to compete and place in the 2020 Olympic games: Alice Dearing, Allyson Felix, Simone Biles, Athing Mu, and Tamayra Mensah. Furthermore, these stars prove that Black Excellence is something that can not only make headlines but be a beacon for others to follow suit. So, let’s celebrate their achievements and accomplishments.

5. Alice Dearing, First Black Woman Swimmer, Finished Fourth

“If I can do it, anyone can do it.”

24 year old, Alice Dearing,  the first black woman swimmer to represent team great britian,  finished fourth.

“When I was younger, I never imagined becoming an Olympian…so I’m incredibly proud to have proven myself wrong and achieved more than I ever dreamed.”

Further more, Dearing said,

“I was happy to make nationals,…to make regionals, to make counties — and to be put up for selection for the Olympics., it’s an incredible achievement…”

But, the olympian wants to make one thing clear, she does not want to always be referred as the black woman Swimmer from Britian.

4. Allyson Felix, Sneaker History, Bronze/Gold Medal 400/4×400 Meters

“I am proud, I guess, of making it to this moment. There’s been so much that has gone into this. Many times, I wasn’t sure it would be possible. So, I’m proud of just fighting and making a way, somehow.”

35 year old Olympian, Allyson Felix made history in Tokyo this summer, for running in spikes from SayshSaysh is the brand she started after breaking with Nike.

This was her fifth Olympics. Felix claimed bronze in the 400-meter and gold in the 4×400-meter relay. Overall, Felix has a total of 18 medals, of which 13 are Gold. Thus, proving that believing in your worth is worthwhile and a must.

3. Simone Biles, Bronze Medal- Balance Beam

Gymnast, Simone Biles, who has 32 total medals made headlines but not for outstanding performance. Instead, for refusing to compete and putting mental health first. After, struggling to do a stylized summersault that she had done perfectly many times prior, she decided to stop and get her mind right.

“It sucks when you are fighting with your own head.”

Despite, making it clear she would not compete, Biles returned to perform on the balance beam. Yet, Biles has suffered a large amount of trauma including sexual abuse by Larry Nassar. Most recently, Biles suffered grief from losing her aunt just before she competed and won bronze on the balance beam. If anything, Biles has showcased that competing is not worth damanging your mental health.

Hopefully, by speaking out, sports programs will consider the damaging effect of the insane pressures put on competing. Maybe, they can encourage a mental program to help athletes with important self care habits. Or at least, considering putting the athlete first before success. Finally, Biles can be proud for inspiring others to take care of themselves and putting mental health in the spotlight.

2. Athing Mu, Gold medal- 800 Meters

“You just have to go in there and know what you have yo do, have a goal in mind. And, I think,, at the end of the day, if you do that everything will fall into place.”

19 year old, Athing mu wins gold in 800 meters was inspired by Kobe Bryant’s “Mamba Mentality” while competing. Recently, Brayant died alongside his daughter in a tragic plane accident. Mu crossed the line with a time of 1:55.21. Thus, breaking the American record. Additionally, Mu was one of two American women to ever win olympic gold in 800 meters. It’s an amazing feat, for sure.

“I wouldn’t even call myself dominant yet because I feel that this is my first year coming out here and doing my thing…my confidence ties a lot of contribution at it.”

1. Tamyra Mensah-Stock, Gold Medal- Wrestling

“I am very happy and I keep trying not to cry but it keeps happening.”

Tamyra Mensah-Stock became the first American, black woman to win wrestling gold beating her rival, Nigeria’s Blessing Oborududu 4-1. Oborududu was the  first wrestler to win an Olympic medal representing Nigeria at the Olympics. But, not only is Mensah Stock successful at obtaining a Gold medal, but she also has a heart of gold. Recently, She used her prize money, a whopping $250,00 to purchase a food truck for her mother.

“These young women are going to see themselves in a number of ways and they’re going to look up there and go, I can do that,” she said. “I can see myself.”

While, Mensah-Stock represents the Americans, her father originates from Ghana. So, accordingly, she was proud of the fact that she wrestled a Black African woman for the gold medal. After her olympic success, Mensah-Stock stated that she wanted a run at WWE. And, she’s not the first accomplished female athlete to compete on WWE. Rhonda Rousey has also starred on WWE.