Last night was just like any night for most of us, but for Olympians it was one of the most important ones of their lives.
After watching swimming and volleyball, I waited patiently for my favorite sport of all of the Olympic games…gymnastics.
I tuned in just in time to watch the last event, which was floor, and cheered and prayed for my personal favorite, Gabby Douglas.
I let out a quick shriek when I saw her step out of bounds on her first tumbling pass, which cost her 0.3 of a point.
I continued to cheer for Jordyn Wieber and Aly Raisman as they put in pretty solid routines, but I let out my biggest gasp when I saw that Jordyn didn’t make it to the All-Around competition.
To be honest, to be sad for her would normally be out of character.
You see, I am one of those people who usually cheers for the underdog, because I tend to feel like one myself most of the time. I was so happy for Aly, because she is an underdog, but in all honesty, Jordyn did deserve a spot.
To me, cheering for Jordyn felt like cheering for Eminem in a rap battle against an upcoming rapper who has won battles across the country. At the same time, Jordyn may have dozens of gold medals, but not one from the Olympic games.
Jordyn is the WORLD CHAMP, and has proved many times that she is the best in the country, if not the world.
Just because she had a tough day on the mat shouldn’t make people disregard the fact that she has beat out a top gymnast like Aly multiple times in the past.
When I saw Jordyn crying the way she was, all I wanted to do was yell at the judges who gave her a score that was just hundredths away from giving her the win!
The Olympics should have 3 All-Arounds, rather than 2 from each country. It makes sense to me, considering there are 3 types of medals to give out: gold, silver, and bronze. Although the competition would take longer and be more intense, it would give a fair chance to those who might have had one bad day to redeem themselves to those who had a lucky one.
Gabby, Aly and Jordyn truly are the best in the country, and all 3 should get the opportunity to prove they are the best in the world.
I’d love to see Jordyn and Aly go head-to-head. They both are incredible gymnasts who have beat each other at different times; one being the underdog, and one being the world champ.
Despite Jordyn not being able to fulfill her dream of having an All-Around gold medal, I honestly hope she makes a big comeback for the 2016 Olympics!
So to the Olympics officials: let’s stop preventing these dreams and switch up the rules.
-Lindsey India
