Last week, six young gymnasts huddled around a laptop at a gym in Whitehorse watching every move of the 2024 Olympic gymnasts as they competed in Paris. The Canadian Olympian Ellie Black placed sixth in the women's all around gymnastics final on Thursday in Paris, while Team U.S.
A.'s Simone Biles placed first. While there aren't any Yukoner's representing Canada in Paris 2024 for gymnastics, the territory's next generation of athletes is finding inspiration in watching their role models compete on the international stage.
"Maybe one day you could be doing that and [also] be on TV," gymnast Julianna Kennedy said. Canada's Ellie Black competes in the balance beam event of the artistic gymnastics women's qualification during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Bercy Arena in Paris, on July 28, 2024. The 28-year-old from Halifax placed sixth in the women's all-around finals and sixth in the vault final.
(AFP via Getty Images) As the girls watched intently, they asked coach Bianca Berko-Malvasio questions about each Olympian's technique and execution. Even Simone Biles, who went on to win her sixth Olympic gold medal in the competition, was deducted points during her routines. "We've learned a lot more about [Biles] this year," said Genevieve Lefebvre, one of the gymnasts.
To see Biles on a closer level and also capable of mistakes was very humanizing, she added. The Polarettes have met Ellie Black, who is representing Canada, at a gymnastics competition and are now witnessing her.