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RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 17: Simone Biles of the United States performs on the beam during the Gymnastics Rio Gala on Day 12 of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games on August 17, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

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RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 17: Simone Biles of the United States performs on the beam during the Gymnastics Rio Gala on Day 12 of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games on August 17, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Gymnastics is one of the vigorous sports. It requires a lot of strength, endurance, technique, flexibility, and other things. However, as spectators, we might not understand the pain behind the smiling faces of the gymnasts. The 2016 Rio Olympics coach of Simone Biles and the US Gymnastics team, Aimee Boorman, once opened up about the struggles of a gymnast.
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Gymnastics was not as popular as it is now in 2016 in the US. Boorman reflected on her pain while telling why gymnastics is not as loved as basketball or football in the US.
Every piece of equipment has a warning written on it.
Aimee Boorman feels the audience does not know that gymnasts are always under several dangers. Every category incorporates risks that the gymnasts reduce with the years of hard work, consistency, and pain they endure during practice. Boorman said, “That’s why every single piece of equipment out there has a warning on it that you could be paralyzed”.

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 25: Simone Biles performs during the Gold Over America Tour at Staples Center on September 25, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)
Moreover, the ex-coach of the US Gymnast team feels the audience does not get enough drama from the sport. Unlike other sports, gymnasts cannot growl and show aggression on the mat.
However, Boorman further added, “Not enough drama for you? How about the fact that gymnasts risk their health every time they step onto the mat? “If you don’t think you’re gonna get hurt in gymnastics, then you’re being a fool”.
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Simone Biles and other gymnasts’ struggles on the mat
The gymnasts are trained to cover their pain and struggles on the mat. That is what the sport demands. The gymnast has to complete the performance with grace, a smile, and confidence. They are not supposed to show any aggression or any kind of emotion other than a smile.

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FORT WORTH, TEXAS – JUNE 06: Simone Biles reacts after compteting on the vault during the Senior Women’s competition of the U.S. Gymnastics Championships at Dickies Arena on June 06, 2021 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Boorman added, “A gymnast, meanwhile, is expected to risk life and limb with a smile on her face. ‘You’re never supposed to show that it’s difficult'”.
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Watch this story: Facts About Simone Biles That Prove She’s the Goat in More Ways Than One
It takes years of practice to overcome the pain they endure to reach the pro-level. Even the greatest gymnasts have the danger of injuries and that too lethal ones. However, the gymnasts never make the audience feel as if they are doing a demanding job, and that’s marvelous.
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