"Feel so bad for past athletes"; "Actually shed a little tear"- Fans react to "culture shift" in US gymnastics team as Simone Biles has pizza in Paris

Simone Biles and the other athletes of the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics team were seen eating a pizza in the Olympic Village ahead of the commencement of the Paris Olympics. This video brought about a lot of joy in gymnastics fans, who were relieved that there was a massive culture change in the current U.S. Gymnastics team as compared to the Márta Károlyi era.

American Gymnasts were reportedly subject to brutal training methods at the Károlyi ranch which included strict training routines as well as diet practices. Many top gymnasts voiced their experiences about the alleged abuse they faced at the famous Károlyi ranch. Nadia Comaneci penned her experience in her book of the strict practices that were followed during training:

“Starving the gymnasts was a regular practice by the Karolyis,” Dr Stejarel Olaru wrote in the book, ' Nadia Comaneci and the Secret Police'. (As per New York Post).

The fans highlighted these instances and brought up comparisons between the contrast in culture in the United States Gymnastics team from the Márta Károlyi era.

"Seeing Suni & Simone getting pizza 🍕 at the Olympic Village 🫶🏼 So nice to see how much the culture has changed compared to the Marta/ ranch era 😥. #Paris2024," a user on X wrote.

More fans expressed their opinion about seeing gymnasts like Simone Biles and others enjoy their time in the Olympic Village ahead of the commencement of the coveted Games.

"Going from the program giving girls eating disorders to them being able to actually eat is good. I feel so bad for past athletes," a fan tweeted.

"Actually shed a little tear… not only do 4/5 of these girls get to have the Olympics experience they never got 3 years ago, but they actually get to be REAL human beings beyond the sport and are treated well 🥲", another fan wrote.

"I LOVE this for them & to see that they are thriving in the sport of gymnastics,"another fan chimed in.

Here are some more fan reactions, with one recalling the accounts written by gymnasts in their books about the strict culture in the U.S. Gymnastics Team.

"In Shawn Johnson's book she wrote about how the men's swimming team threw them snickers bars from their balcony at the Olympics when they told them they only get to eat rice and chicken like once or twice a day 😭," a fan wrote.

"So happy to see they’re not only putting mental health first but also letting their gymnasts be regular people. and the a the leyes are performing just the same, if not, better, amazing," a fan remarked.

"My heart breaks right now for @MagsGotSwag12 and the other girls who snuck food at the ranch. The culture has changed. Oh my gosh," another fan tweeted.

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Simone Biles' appearance at the Paris Olympics

Simone Biles at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Gymnastics - Day 4 - Source: Getty

Simone Biles qualified for her third Olympic appearance in Paris after a dominating victory at the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics trials in June. The American gymnast will be aiming for a strong comeback at the games after a disappointing run at the previous edition of the Olympics in Tokyo.

Biles withdrew from the Tokyo Olympics moments before the commencement of the finals citing mental health concerns. Her withdrawal brought about a lot of criticism and trolling from fans on social media. However, with the support of her husband and family, she was able to bounce back from the setback.

Simone Biles began the 2024 season with strong momentum by winning an event that she had participated in. With such performances early in the Olympic season and her long-awaited comeback, the anticipation among fans and gymnastics enthusiasts is at an all-time high for the upcoming week.