(Paris) At 28 years old. At her fourth Olympic Games. Ellie Black took the 6e rank in the individual eventing competition on Thursday.
While all eyes were on the battle at the top between American and Brazilian stars Simone Biles and Rebeca Andrade, the Canadian delivered remarkable performances on three of the four apparatus.
After starting superbly on the uneven bars, which placed her in 3e rank after the first rotation, she performed on the beam. During this entire final, it was the only time she fell. She lost one point, which is considerable. She continued the competition as if nothing had happened after that, amassing good scores on the following apparatus.
“It’s never over until it’s over,” she said in the mixed zone.
You have to keep fighting. I want to show my gymnastics, I want to show what I practice. My competitive side came out: I worked so hard to be here and I want to use this chance to the maximum. So I kept pushing until the end.
Ellie Black
Ultimately, even if she had not lost that point on beam, she would not have overtaken Kaylia Nemour, who finished ahead of her in 5e place. In fact, a medal would have been extremely difficult to obtain against the Biles, Andrades and Sunisa Lee of this world.
PHOTO PAUL CHILDS, REUTERS
Ellie Black
“These girls are incredible,” Black said of them. “They’re awesome. They’re super inspiring. It’s hard to keep up with them, but they’re doing incredible things for the sport. I think that’s an important thing to note.”
At the last Olympic Games in Tokyo, in 2021, Ellie Black missed the final of the individual all-around competition. In Rio, she finished in 5e place. And she was eight years younger.
“I worked really hard to get to the level I’m at, especially at 28. To finish 6the in the world even though I fell once, that’s pretty cool. So I’m proud.”
Special presences
At the Olympics, any question can trigger an unexpected reaction from athletes who are on edge after their events. That was the case Thursday night when Black was asked about her family’s presence in the stands at Arena Bercy. The Nova Scotian tried to hold back tears, but in vain.
“I trained with my brother, I live with him. He’s one of my biggest fans. My dad too. I wouldn’t be where I am without them. Having them here is pretty special,” she said, bringing her hands to her eyes.
My dad has come to all my big competitions. He’s been traveling with me since I was little. He tells me to do this sport because I love it, I love getting on the machines and being myself.
Ellie Black
Black, who is still scheduled to compete in the vault final on Saturday, has been injured a lot over the years. As recently as Thursday, before the start of the all-around competition, she wore a thick bandage on her ankle. But 12 years after her Olympic debut in London 2012, she is still among the best. She proved that on Thursday.
“There were so many obstacles to get here. I’m really proud to be here and what I’m accomplishing.”