导出博客文章U.S. gymnastics superstar Simone Biles may have five Olympic medals swinging
from her neck, but its her mother Nellie Biles, who feels like the ultimate
champion.Simones road to Rio was such an amazing journey for our whole family.
Im just so thankful, noted Mrs. Biles.You see, Simones accomplishments are
rooted in her mothers ability to create a village (a tight-knit community of
family and friends) that supports her daughter through ups, downs and everything
in between. For instance, the extended Biles family does a weekly family dinner,
attends church together -- and all flew out to Rio to see Simone shine at the
Olympics.Nellie, who adopted 19-year-old Simone and her 17-year-old sister Adria
when they were small children, along with her husband Ron (Simone and Adrias
biological grandfather), wants her kids to know and understand they are
unconditionally loved -- and thats part of the Biles magic. ??Last week, while
Simone was on a media blitz, hitting The Ellen DeGeneres Show and Good Morning
America, Mrs. Biles sat down with espnW from her hotel room in midtown Manhattan
to discuss her commitment to family and how she keeps her daughter steady on the
balance beam of life.espnW: At what point did you know you Simone was a gifted
athlete? Biles: From the start she absolutely loved gymnastics. I always
supported her, but I never thought much of it. It wasnt until 2012, when Simone
won her first all-around [at the American Classic in Huntsville, Texas], that I
really started to believe... wow, my daughter really gets this sport.The
following year she was a senior in high school, and had turned 16 years old. So,
a lot of things were evolving in her life. Simone started having problems with
concentration and her focus was off, and as a result her performance was a bit
rough at the Secret U.S. Classic. After that competition, we talked to a sports
psychologist, which helped her regain focus.I believe her talking to those two
therapists was really key.?She then went on to win the womens individual
all-around at the [2013 World Artistic Gymnastics Championship in Antwerp,
Belgium]. Once that happened, I knew we were headed to greater times. I always
knew she could physically do it. She was capable, it was her mental status that
needed to be aligned. And it all worked out.espnW: Your daughter Adria is a
gymnast as well. How do you help create a sense of work/personal life balance
for she and Simone?Biles: I think its important that we function as a family.
Not only for my two girls, but for Simones brothers, too; because I have four
children. The boys are grown and live on their own. But, they still come to the
house and visit quite frequently.But, in particular Simone and Adria normally
train all week except Sunday. So theres no real break. However, on Saturday,
they start at 9 a.m. and end at 1 p.m. Because thats an early end day, the girls
often use that afternoon to get their nails or hair done.However, during the
week, they are balancing school work and gymnastics, and that pretty much takes
up their time. Then Sunday is family day, so we always go to church together.
And I normally leave it up to the girls to decide what we are having for Sunday
dinner, and they will argue about what they want, but they eventually come to
some sort of consensus. The boys come over in the evening time, and we just
enjoy each others company.espnW: What was your most memorable moment in
Rio?Biles: There are a few for me. But, just celebrating all of Simones
accomplishments was just so special. We didnt get a chance to see her that
often, because Simone was in the Olympic village, and we were in a hotel. We
brought a group of 17 family members and friends to Rio with us, just to support
her. So having such a huge amount of support in general, was quite
memorable.?Each time we came back from competition, wed all sit down and
celebrate as a group. We wanted to recall and discuss what we had just
witnessed, and it was just so special to share those moments with friends and
family. We all got together about six or seven times during the Olympics and it
was simply amazing, after each competition, we all shared that experience
together.Though, there was one particular moment that truly stuck out to me. It
was when we first saw Simone, which was when the U.S. won gold in team
competition, she along with the other gymnasts came around to our hotel. It was
a big celebration for all of the athletes and families, and that was an amazing
experience for us all.espnW: What goes through your mind when Simone is in
competition?Biles: I am absolutely a basket case during competition. Whenever we
go to the meets, my family knows not to talk to me. Im in my own space. I dont
want any comments. I dont want anyone to say anything to me until its over. Now
depending on how nervous I get, Ill squeeze my husbands hand or Adrias hand. I
may look calm, but Im not! Im [a] total wreck until its over. I cannot eat or
drink the entire day leading up to the competition.Im sure partnership proposals
are flooding your inbox post-Olympics, why did you think the My Black is
Beautiful and Tides Small but Powerful campaigns were a good fit for you and
Simone?Biles: The Tide PODS concept alone. My daughter is small in stature, but
shes incredibly powerful. The fact that they made that analogy between the PODS
and Simone, was just so fitting. Also, Proctor & Gambles My Black is
Beautiful campaign (which features P&G products that caters to an
African-American female demographic) -- the goal of it is to promote women
feeling comfortable in their own skin. The message is about black women
empowering themselves, and embracing themselves both inside and out. And thats a
very important platform for my daughter and me.espnW: You and your husband Ron
opened World Champions Centre in Spring, Texas, where Simone trains. Do you
think the gym was part of her ultimate success?Biles: So, after the worlds
completion in 2013, Simones then trainer Aimee Boorman wanted to discuss finding
a new gym. But, I didnt think that was a good idea. I didnt want my daughter
bouncing from gym to gym. However, that made me think ... maybe, we should build
our own gym, which we did in 2014. Simone started training there right away (it
opened to the public in May 2016).Overall, building the gym was one of the best
things Ive ever done. It gave her a comfortable place to train, and I would say
for the last year, while training for the Olympics, it really helped. She was
really grateful to have somewhere to train that was state of the art, with new
equipment and she had everything she needed right there.Plus, its a great place
for other gymnasts as well. So, its a service to the community. We also have
practice space for things like Taekwondo or just tumbling. Theres some variety
in that gym. We even have a classroom on site, so that the athletes can go to
school while training.espnW: Speaking of Aimee Boorman, as of August 2016, she
is no longer training your daughter. How is Simone dealing with the
change?Biles: Aimee and I had an initial conversation about that. From our chat,
I got the impression that she had other opportunities coming her way, and thats
wonderful for her. Its great that she took advantage. Simply because theres no
more Simone in that gym. Simone is off doing her own thing, so its good that
Aimee decided to pursue her dreams as well.Initially, Simone had a little
difficulty with it, but she understands and embraces the idea. I do not know
what [Simone] is going to do in respect to training going forward and she doesnt
either. But, shell figure it out when she gets back to Texas. Well cross that
bridge when shes back home.?Ericka N. Goodman-Hughey is a senior editor at
espnW. Follow her on Twitter @ericka_editor
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Meanwhile, there were huge victories for Sunderland and West Ham over fellow
relegation rivals, leaving the battle to avoid the drop up for grabs with the
bottom 11 teams separated by just six points. Eden Hazard and Fernando Torres
scored second-half goals to seal a fourth straight victory for Chelsea, which
climbed above Arsenal and Manchester City in the standings ahead of their games
on Monday and Sunday respectively. CHICAGO -- Left-hander Drew Smyly will try to
extend his unbeaten streak to 12 starts when the Tampa Bay Rays go on the road
to open a four-game series against the Chicago White Sox on Monday night.Smyly,
27, owns the Rays longest streak without a loss since right-hander Alex Cobb had
an 11-start stretch in 2014. Smyly (7-11, 4.86 ERA) is 5-0 with a 3.60 ERA in 11
starts since July 23. During that span, he has walked 19 and struck out 51 in 65
innings.Individual achievements are the most relevant storylines remaining as
the Rays (65-90) and White Sox (74-81) prepare for a long offseason with no hope
of reaching the playoffs.The White Sox won back-to-back games over the Indians
on Saturday and Sunday in Cleveland after losing their previous six games in a
row.Chicago has enjoyed success at home this season. Manager Robin Venturas club
is 41-33 at home and just 33-48 on the road.Ventura said he has no problem with
his players chasing statistical milestones as the season neared its end. Todd
Frazier has 39 home runs and 96 RBI. Jose Abreu is hitting .297 with 97 RBI,
putting him well within reach of finishing the season with a .300-plus average
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right-hander James Shields will try to avoid another meltdown in a season that
has been filled with them. The 34-year-old is 5-18 with a 5.98 ERA overall this
season, and he is 0-6 with a 9.46 ERA in his past 10 starts. Since joining
Chicago in a June trade with the San Diego Padres, he is 3-11 with a 7.11 ERA in
20 starts.Shields will face the team that gave him his first opportunity in the
big leagues. He went 87-73 with a 3.89 ERA in seven seasons with the Rays from
2006 through 2012.Against the Rays, Shields is 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA in two career
starts. He has walked two and struck out 17.The Rays slipped to a season-worst
25 games under .500 after a 3-2 loss to the Boston Red Sox in 10 innings on
Sunday afternoon. Rays hitters struck out a franchise-record 23 times.Rays
center fielder Kevin Kiermaier left the Sunday game due to a bruised left hand.
His status is uncertain for the series opener.Got some treatment on it and
hopefully (I will) be ready to go tomorrow, Kiermaier told MLB.com on Sunday.
Hopefully the inflammation and swelling goes down and Im good to go.Smyly is 0-0
with a 4.73 ERA in 11 career appearances (four starts) against the White Sox. He
has not faced Chicago since 2014. ' ' '
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