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The 2024 Olympic Games in Paris have showcased the power of diversity and inclusion, particularly in the women's gymnastics team. The team, which is the most diverse in U.S. history, has brought home a total of 10 medals, including three gold medals. This achievement is a testament to the potential of diverse teams and their ability to achieve excellence. The success of the women's gymnastics team, which includes individuals from diverse backgrounds, is a stark contrast to the historical exclusion of women of color from the sport. This success is a reminder of the importance of diversity in achieving excellence and bringing honor to the nation. Diverse organizations, whether in sports or in the corporate world, perform better than exclusive organizations. Diversity brings a wealth of different experiences, knowledge, and skills. Diverse companies are more likely to surpass their financial goals and make better decisions. The success of the women's gymnastics team is a reflection of the potential of diverse teams and the importance of diversity in achieving excellence. It's time to recognize the value of diversity and the benefits it brings to organizations and society as a whole. What are your thoughts on the importance of diversity in achieving excellence? Do you believe that diverse teams are more successful than exclusive teams?

🏅 Ever wondered about the more unusual events in Olympic history? 🏅 The Olympics have seen a variety of unique and quirky events over the years. Here's a fascinating look at some of the most interesting ones that have graced the Games: 1️⃣ Tug of War: This event was part of the Olympics from 1900 to 1920. Teams competed to pull the opposing team across a line in a test of strength. 2️⃣ Plunge for Distance: Featured in the 1904 St. Louis Olympics, this event involved divers plunging into a pool and remaining motionless to see how far they could drift without using their limbs. 3️⃣ Live Pigeon Shooting: In the 1900 Paris Olympics, live pigeons were used as targets in a shooting event. This was the only time live animals were used, and the event was replaced by clay pigeon shooting in subsequent Games. 4️⃣ Rope Climbing: Included in the gymnastics program from 1896 to 1932, athletes climbed a suspended rope using only their hands. The event tested upper body strength and technique. 5️⃣ Solo Synchronized Swimming: This paradoxically named event was included in the 1984, 1988, and 1992 Olympics. Swimmers performed routines alone, set to music, demonstrating their synchronization with the rhythm. 6️⃣ Art Competitions: From 1912 to 1948, the Olympics included art competitions in categories like painting, sculpture, literature, architecture, and music. Medals were awarded for works inspired by sport. 7️⃣ One-Handed Weightlifting: In the 1896 Olympics, athletes competed in weightlifting using only one hand, testing both strength and balance. 8️⃣ Motorboating: The 1908 London Olympics featured motorboat racing. The event was affected by rough weather, and it did not return in future Games. 9️⃣ Swimming Obstacle Race: In the 1900 Paris Olympics, swimmers had to navigate a 200-meter course that included climbing over poles and boats and swimming under them. 🏆 Which of these events would you like to see returned to the Olympic competitions? Let me know in the comments! 🥇 #Olympics #UnusualEvents #History

A soft rain began to fall as I once again stepped over the #HoundAndTerrier strategically laying across the floor, their bodies creating a veritable obstacle course. Speaking of obstacles… You knew I was going to have a #Mulling about him, right? Stephen Nedoroscik. The self-proclaimed “nerd” of the USA men’s gymnastics team at the Olympics. The internationally proclaimed “Clark Kent” of the summer. A young man who represents Penn State well, and also serves as an inspiration to those with vision challenges. Because Stephen accepted that he did not need to excel in all aspects of the sport. He didn’t need to be the best on the vault or floor. He didn’t even need to be great at the parallel bars, which had previously been his favourite. He just needed to hone his craft on one event. The pommel horse. Being a specialist is not a new concept to most of us, right? After all, Adam Smith and his pin factory taught us that specialists could perfect and perform tasks far more efficiently than generalists. And yet… Yet, do we not find most organisations attempting to be everything to everyone? Their value proposition so elaborate that when asked why their customers buy from them they proudly proclaim, “Because we’re the most cost efficient, have the best quality, and superior customer service!” Nope. No one can be everything to everyone. Because, like Stephen knows, you can be pretty good at some areas and VERY good at others. But to be great at all? Lots of wasted effort there, ya’ll. I mean, there’s some legitimately talented Olympians competing, right? Yet even Katie Ledecky- hailed as the greatest female swimmer of all time- specialises. Sure, she’s competed in a few breaststroke events, yet her accolades are vastly due to her success in freestyle competitions. And another GOAT, Simone Biles, will say she’d rather not compete on the uneven bars or beam, two events that do not play to her strengths. While she’s won some medals in these events, the number pales in comparison to those she’s won in the floor and vault competitions. Admittedly, I am an individual who champions folks that have breadth and depth in the work they do. I like robustness. Even if the panoptic lens they bring to their work means they have talent three miles wide yet an inch deep. After all, I am an aspiring polymath myself. And yet… Yet I cannot discredit what we’ve witnessed in Stephen’s success as a specialist. Or Katie’s. And although Simone’s weaknesses are still medal-worthy, she is, absolutely, a very rare talent in the events she consistently excels at. And I don’t know about ya’ll, but I’d like to be someone who has a realistic sense of what I’m aiming for. Do I want to be ridiculously great at one thing? To be a Stephen or Katie? Am I robustly talented enough to have even my weaknesses be award-winning? To be a Simone? Or am I someone who accepts that being good enough in many areas that interest me, is good enough for me? Happy Growing! -M.

It isn´t today the Artistic Gymnastics have the most beautiful coolant in the Olympics, with grace and precision. Did you know that gymnast Jade Barbosa made the design of the leotards for the women's artistic gymnastics team? Comment here if you know it. Like and share this post to encourage athletics, and follow me for more content about fashion. #Fashion #fashionolympcs #fashiondesign #apparelfashion #fashiontrends

The last gymnast to win two #Olympic all-around finals was Vera Caslavska of Czechoslovakia in 1964 and 1968. At the age of 27, #Biles in now the oldest woman to become a champion since 30-year-old Maria Gorokhovskaya of the Soviet Union won in 1952. Not long ago, age 21 was considered too old for Olympic consideration. Across the athletic spectrum, we’re seeing performance capabilities extending into later years. It’s true at the elite and amateur level. Statistics from #DUPR’s (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) player database show that 31.1% of our registered active (i.e., competitive) players are 60 or over, with the oldest to register high match counts aged 83. It’s never too late to start #investing in #healthspan. Begin by simply saying “yes.” https://lnkd.in/eWPpfNkq

The "Pommel Horse Guy" helped the USA Men's Gymnastics Team win a medal for the first time in 16 years and could be looking at brand deals due to his newfound internet stardom. 🏅🤸♂️ Stephen Nedoroscik has gone viral for wearing glasses during his sole event in gymnastics, the pommel horse. Nedoroscik was put on the five-member U.S. Olympic team because he’s so good at that event. His selection came as a surprise to many gymnastics fans, who questioned the sanity of USA Gymnastics in banking on a specialist who only competes on one of the six events in men’s gymnastics. The pressure didn't get to Nedoroscik, though, who waited 2.5 hours for his turn to mount the pommel. ⏳👓 What Nedoroscik did while waiting is now the stuff of internet legend. Snaps of him with his head back, eyes closed, glasses on, and seemingly dozing have become a meme. But Nedoroscik was just in full preparation mode. This time spent doing breathing exercises led Nedoroscik to help lead his team to win their first medal in 16 years, securing Bronze in the 2024 Paris Olympics. 🥉🇺🇸 While Nedoroscik becomes an internet star and meme legend, it's a perfect opportunity to capitalize on his signature style—wearing glasses while competing in the Olympics! Warby Parker could greatly benefit from endorsing Nedoroscik and adding to the face of "The Pommel Horse Guy." 📸👓 What do you think of Warby Parker sponsoring Stephen Nedoroscik? Let me know in the comments! 💬👇 #BrandDeals #Endorsement #Marketing #Branding #Olympics #OlympicsSponsorship #WarbyParker #DigitalMarketing

A poignant moment captured during the Paris 2024 Olympics showcases the remarkable talent in women's gymnastics, with Rebeca Andrade winning gold, Simone Biles claiming silver, and Jordan Chiles securing bronze medals. More than just medals, this image symbolizes sportsmanship and respect. Witnessing Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles graciously acknowledging Rebeca's triumph demonstrates a beautiful bond of camaraderie and admiration. It emphasizes that while competition is intense, showing mutual respect and celebrating each other's achievements are equally crucial. This powerful image will serve as a valuable teaching aid in the classroom this upcoming September in order to use it as a catalyst for discussions on sportsmanship, teamwork, and perseverance. Ultimately, it highlights that the greatest triumphs are often collective, not individual. In the new course beginning, students can be encouraged to reflect on their own experiences with teamwork and the importance of lifting each other in both successes and setbacks. Additionally, the conversation can extend beyond sports by drawing parallels to academic and extracurricular endeavours, where collaboration and mutual encouragement can lead to greater accomplishments. In essence, this moment from the Paris 2024 Olympics is more than just a historic sports event; it's an educational treasure trove that can inspire and mould the next generation of leaders, athletes, and compassionate individuals. By celebrating these values, we not only honour the achievements of these remarkable athletes but also plant seeds for a future where respect is the true measure of success. #Olympics #education #sportsmanship #teamwork #teaching #newschoolyear #respect #competition #rolemodels

Winners don’t compete with others. Winners focus on improving themselves, instead of trying to beat others. I love this concept by Nuno Job. When I saw the great Simone Biles bowing to Rebeca Andrade at the #Paris2024 Olympics, I was reminded of this concept. It’s no secret that Simone Biles is one of the best gymnasts in history. But her greatness didn’t come easy. At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, she shocked the sporting world when she withdrew from competing in numerous events. She admitted her struggles with mental health and a case of “the twisties,” a phenomenon when gymnasts lose their sense of place when they’re in the air and how they’ll land. Rather than push herself beyond her capacity at that time, she took a break to work on herself, both physically and mentally. #Paris2024 was Simone’s comeback. She won four medals, pushing her to be the most decorated gymnast of all time. And yet, on the final day of the gymnastics competitions, she lost to Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade. Simone could have been disappointed and pouted about her Silver finish at the Floor Exercise event, but in a true show of sportsmanship, she used the opportunity to celebrate her peers’ win. That’s the reality of life: winners don’t always get the outcome they set out for. But what makes winners winners is that they learn from their defeats and learn from the other competitors. They prepare a plan to improve and come back stronger. And when others win, they take it gracefully and celebrate it. Because true winners only compete with themselves and not with others. 

According to a YouGov poll, A quarter of Britons think they could qualify for the 2028 Olympics!  Younger Brits are more bullish about competing on the world stage, with 39% of 18-24-year-olds thinking they could complete at LA28 if they started training today. The report breaks this down by sport, and perhaps even more surprising is that 5% of 50-64-year-olds think they could qualify for the 100m sprint! YouGov, where do you find these people? Unsurprisingly men are more confident in their Olympic prospects than women, however not in all sports. Women are more optimistic than men in gymnastics, dressage, and rowing and more than twice as many women than men think they could qualify for the 100m Breaststroke.  https://lnkd.in/epumEMeZ