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EVERYONE KNOWS THAT women’s gymnastics is the best sport in the Olympics.
The glitzy leotards, the ever-present danger, the joy when someone lands an impossible move — ugh, it’s amazing.
The gymnastics kicks off on Sunday and will be on every evening next week. To get yourself in the mood, here are some gymnasts to follow on social media…
Simone Biles is a three-time World Champion and widely regarded as one of, if not the, greatest gymnasts of all-time. Did we mention she’s only 19? Well, she is.
This is her first Olympic Games and expectations are high with most pundits expecting Biles to absolutely clean up. (As one publisher told New Yorker, “I feel absolutely terrible saying this. But if she doesn’t win five of the six Olympic gold medals it would be a disappointment.”)
Despite the immense pressure on her shoulders, Biles still makes time for social media, including Instagram and Snapchat.
Ellie and Becky Downie are two sisters who will be competing in Rio with Great Britain’s gymnastics team.
Both Ellie, 17, and Becky, 24, were part of the team that won Great Britain’s first ever medal at last year’s World Artistic Gymnastics Championships last year.
For the first time ever, Ireland will have someone to shout for in women’s gymnastics. Earlier this year, Ellis O’Reilly, who hails from London, qualified for Ireland and became the first Irish gymnast to qualify for the games.
Eighteen-year-old O’Reilly qualified for Ireland through her Armagh-born granddad and will be doing us proud in green, white and orange this weekend.
The 20-year-old won two gold medals at the last Olympics, including in the coveted All-Around event. Whether she can retain her form this time around remains to be seen, but her Instagram is still *insert 100 emoji*.
She may not be a household name, but the Swiss gymnast is one of the best in Europe. Sure, didn’t she pick up two gold medals at the European Championships this year?
At 16, Laurie Hernandez is the baby of the Team USA Olympic team, but that doesn’t mean she’s not a contender. In fact, she finished second only to Simone Biles in the trials earlier this year.
This one’s a bit of a wildcard, but we couldn’t not include her. At 40 years old, Oksana Chusovitina is the oldest female gymnast to ever qualify for the Olympics.
In fact, this is the Uzbekistan native’s seventh Olympics and she’s documenting the whole thing over on Instagram.
It’s easy to be overlooked when you’re on the same team as Simone Biles, but Madison Kocian is still incredibly impressive, having won a gold medal at last year’s World Championships.
Follow her Instagram if you want to pretend you’re part of her and Simone Biles’ girl gang.
Sunday 24 November, 2024
Sunday 24 November, 2024
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9 gymnast Instagrams you need to follow if you're obsessed with gymnastics
EVERYONE KNOWS THAT women’s gymnastics is the best sport in the Olympics.
The glitzy leotards, the ever-present danger, the joy when someone lands an impossible move — ugh, it’s amazing.
The gymnastics kicks off on Sunday and will be on every evening next week. To get yourself in the mood, here are some gymnasts to follow on social media…
1. Simone Biles
Simone Biles is a three-time World Champion and widely regarded as one of, if not the, greatest gymnasts of all-time. Did we mention she’s only 19? Well, she is.
This is her first Olympic Games and expectations are high with most pundits expecting Biles to absolutely clean up. (As one publisher told New Yorker, “I feel absolutely terrible saying this. But if she doesn’t win five of the six Olympic gold medals it would be a disappointment.”)
Despite the immense pressure on her shoulders, Biles still makes time for social media, including Instagram and Snapchat.
Follow her before the Biles Bandwagon fills up.
Twitter: @Simone_Biles Instagram: simonebiles // Snapchat: simonebiles
2. Ellie and Becky Downie
Ellie and Becky Downie are two sisters who will be competing in Rio with Great Britain’s gymnastics team.
Both Ellie, 17, and Becky, 24, were part of the team that won Great Britain’s first ever medal at last year’s World Artistic Gymnastics Championships last year.
Expect to see them all over your telly next week.
Twitter: @Bdownie/@elliedownie // Instagram: bdownie92/elliedownie // Snapchat: Doubledownies
3. Aly Raisman
You may remember Aly Raisman from London 2012 when she won gold medal for her floor routine to Hava Nagila.
This year, she’s back captaining Team USA and wearing killer leotards.
Instagram: alyreisman
4. Ellis O’Reilly
For the first time ever, Ireland will have someone to shout for in women’s gymnastics. Earlier this year, Ellis O’Reilly, who hails from London, qualified for Ireland and became the first Irish gymnast to qualify for the games.
Eighteen-year-old O’Reilly qualified for Ireland through her Armagh-born granddad and will be doing us proud in green, white and orange this weekend.
COME ON ELLIS!
Twitter: @EllisOReilly1 Instagram: ellisoreilly // Snapchat: ellis-oreilly
5. Gabby Douglas
Better known as the Queen of London 2012.
The 20-year-old won two gold medals at the last Olympics, including in the coveted All-Around event. Whether she can retain her form this time around remains to be seen, but her Instagram is still *insert 100 emoji*.
Twitter: @gabrielledoug // Instagram: gabbycvdouglas
6. Giulia Steingruber
She may not be a household name, but the Swiss gymnast is one of the best in Europe. Sure, didn’t she pick up two gold medals at the European Championships this year?
Keep your eye on her. And her Instagram.
Twitter: @GSteingruber // Instagram: giulia_steingruber
7. Laurie Hernandez
At 16, Laurie Hernandez is the baby of the Team USA Olympic team, but that doesn’t mean she’s not a contender. In fact, she finished second only to Simone Biles in the trials earlier this year.
Not bad going for a literal child.
Twitter: @lzhernandez02 // Instagram: lauriehernandez_// Snapchat: laurie7
8. Oksana Chusovitina
This one’s a bit of a wildcard, but we couldn’t not include her. At 40 years old, Oksana Chusovitina is the oldest female gymnast to ever qualify for the Olympics.
In fact, this is the Uzbekistan native’s seventh Olympics and she’s documenting the whole thing over on Instagram.
What the Olympics is all about, tbh <3
Instagram: oksana2016
9. Madison Kocian
It’s easy to be overlooked when you’re on the same team as Simone Biles, but Madison Kocian is still incredibly impressive, having won a gold medal at last year’s World Championships.
Follow her Instagram if you want to pretend you’re part of her and Simone Biles’ girl gang.
Twitter: @madisonkocian Instagram: madison_kocian
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