This year, the presidential election, worldwide terrorism attacks and continuing racial riots have created a disunity across the globe. However, one love that we all share is for our Olympic athletes. The 2016 Summer Olympics were held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and although 5,253 miles away, Americans came together to cheer on their beloved superstars.

The United States dominated the Rio Olympics, being the far front-runner in the medal counts. Team USA brought home 46 gold medals, 37 silver and 38 bronze. The sports that USA placed best in included swimming, gymnastics and track and field. The two athletes glorified by their abundance of gold medals were swimmer Michael Phelps and gymnast Simone Biles.

Phelps can easily be described as one of the best swimmers of all time. He is the most decorated Olympian with 23 gold medals, three silver and two bronze. Phelps first went to the 2000 Olympics held in Sidney, Australia at the age 15, but did not medal. Since then, Phelps has broken world records in the 100-meter butterfly, 200-meter butterfly and the 400-meter individual medley. St. Dominic swim coach Jacquie Moutray is preparing to use Phelps as her training muse.

“Phelps has been going to the Olympics since he was 15 years old. He has natural ability, but it is the time and dedication they spend in the pool that makes him stand out in the heats,” said Coach Moutray.

Although Phelps’ first Olympics in 2000 did not earn him any medals, rookie Simone Biles took home a collection of her own in her first Olympic Games. The 4’8″ 19-year-old brought home four gold medals in the team all-around, vault, floor exercise and the individual all-around. She was expected to take gold in the beam event, but a slip off the beam landed Biles in third place. Her young spirit and amazing gymnastic skills captured the hearts of all Americans. Senior Gabi Gevers, a former gymnast, admires Biles for her talent and the hard work she had to put in to excel in every event.

“She endured lots of hard conditioning; not necessarily lifting weights, but body weight training because essentially all gymnastics is, is figuring out different ways to throw your body through the air. She had to spend hours mentally preparing herself for each new skill she learned or every event she competed in.  The way she composed herself on and off the floor is what I most idolize about her,” said Gevers.

Among Phelps and Biles, many other athletes brought home medals to honor their country. We say goodbye to Phelps who has officially retired (again), and we anticipate more great things from Biles, along with our other amazing athletes, at the 2020 Toyko Olympic Games.