1/16/2018 Simone Biles is champion -- that's what matters (Opinion) - CNN

http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/16/opinions/simone-biles-reaction-opinion-filipvoic/index.html 1/3

Simone Biles is champion -- that's what matters

@ Updated 1:10 PM ET, Tue January 16, 2018

By Jill Filipovic

Editor's Note: Jill Filipovic is a journalist based in New York and Nairobi, Kenya, and the author of the book

"The H-Spot: The Feminist Pursuit of Happiness." Follow her on Twitter. The opinions expressed in this

commentary are solely those of the author.

(CNN) — As the #MeToo movement continues to grow, American gymnast Simone Biles is the latest woman to

come forward with a horrific story alleging sexual exploitation. Biles joins a long list (more than 140 to date) of other

athletes who have accused former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar of sexual abuse. Biles and other

gymnasts also say that USA Gymnasts pressured them into silence and allowed the abuse to continue --

allegations that USA Gymnastics denies.

In a moving statement posted to her Twitter account, Biles wrote, in part, "I know that this horrific experience does

not define me. I am much more than this. I am unique, smart, talented, motivated, and passionate. I have promised

myself that my story will be much greater than this and I promise all of you that I will never give up."

As she prepares for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Biles surely knows the risk she's taking on: That the appalling and

cruel choices of an awful man may indeed define her. Commentators, broadcasters, journalists and fans may

indeed bring up Nassar's name whenever Biles or one of her teammates are on the gym floor.

It would be worse, though, to sweep his crimes under the rug by pretending they never happened. So how can we

respect Biles' right to be defined by her talent and her intelligence instead of the acts of a criminal, while also doing

Simone Biles is latest gymnast to allege abuse 01:55

Source: CNN

  

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justice to her bravery in speaking out?

First, journalists and fans have an obligation to treat Biles'story as a call to action, not fodder for gossip. Biles is clearthat she holds Nassar and USA Gymnastics responsible, andso should we.

The gymnastics organization claims it is implementing dozensof policy changes to prevent something such as this fromhappening again. Anyone who finds themselves in a positionto comment publicly on Biles and Nassar over the next fewyears should also take the time to confirm that USAGymnastics has actually made a substantive transformation inhow it treats its athletes. Instead of making Nassar's abusedefinitional for Biles, we should make her bravery the storyand heed her call to place responsibility where it's due.

Second, this should be the death knell of treating gymnasticslike a girly, sexualized endeavor. Gymnasts are serious athletes(how sad that even needs to be said) and should be accordedthe same respect and reverence o ered to the men who run,jump and swim. That means less emphasis on gymnasts'perceived femininity or aesthetic appeal, and more on theirstrength and technical skills.

And finally, the gymnastics industry as a whole needs anoverhaul. Gymnasts are often treated as bodies on displayinstead of as young athletes, even by their own coaches andadvocates. Young girls are mocked for their weight; eatingdisorders are rife. Girls generally are taught to be nice, politeand subservient, and in gymnastics, this social norm is toooften exploited by coaches who are cruel and abusive -- evenif the abuse isn't sexual in nature.

It takes tremendous physical strength to compete as anOlympic gymnast, and perhaps an even stronger sense ofintegrity and self-worth to come forward about sexual abusethe way Biles and her teammates have. The least the rest of uscan do is exactly what Biles asks: Don't use this moment todefine her. Use it to hold the powerful to account, and makesure this never happens again.

Jill Filipovic

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