It is more common to speak of legends in the past tense. Still, Ellie Black is better than ever. Driven by her experience, she looks to the future with a smile, because that’s what she knows how to do best.
It’s just starting to snow in Halifax. It’s cold, but the snowflakes refuse to stay on the ground when Ellie Black calls, right on time. The gymnast returned from Liverpool, England a few days earlier.
She was taking part in her seventh World Championships, where she won a silver medal on beam. Above all, she helped Canada qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in the team event with a bronze medal, a first in the country’s history.
We didn’t think we would be able to fight for a medal and get the bronze. It’s phenomenal, because we made history by qualifying for Paris 2024. It was unexpected, but we are very excited.
Ellie Black
Ellie Black, 27, is used to dealing with the unexpected. Nobody would have bet that an athlete from Nova Scotia, which has a population of barely one million, would become the greatest gymnast in Canadian history. Nobody would have bet that an athlete who tore ankle ligaments in 2019 in addition to sustaining a sprain in the same place during the Olympics in 2021, still arriving just off the podium, would come back stronger.
No one except her. In addition to her two medals, she also finished fourth in the vault table and fifth in the all-around. “I’m proud to have held on,” she says.
PHOTO FROM ELLIE BLACK’S INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT
The Canadian gymnastics team won bronze at the last World Championships.
The team first
Ellie Black’s speech rarely translates to the first person singular. The notion of team is anchored in it. From the way she talks about her teammates, it’s easy to see why her leadership transcends her performance. She was surrounded by rookies at Worlds and the team still qualified for the Olympics.
“I do my best to advise them. I want my teammates to be comfortable and confident so they can enjoy and cherish their experience. »
She manages to find a balance between her role as a leader and the need to perform. She is the only one of the national team to have to assume these two missions. “I always put a lot of pressure on my shoulders. I always want to do well for the team. The important thing is to know that you are doing your best,” she explains.
During competitions, it is not uncommon to see Black go to her teammates, kneel down and chat. By resting his hands on their thighs or holding their hands. Always with a smile. Its presence is reassuring and its performances are stunning. “We are so focused every day on what we have to accomplish. Sometimes we have to take a step back and be aware of our fabulous accomplishments and how proud Canada is of us. »
PHOTO HUGO-SÉBASTIEN AUBERT, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Ellie Black
From London to Paris
The Haligonian was just 16 when she competed in her first Olympics in London. She had rewritten the Canadian Olympic record book with historic results.
In Paris, it will be her fourth Olympic Games. A huge feat considering how short careers are in gymnastics.
I always knew I wanted to stay in this sport as long as possible to see what I could accomplish with our team. I want our team to be able to show the world what we can do.
Ellie Black
To stay in the shape of her life every year, Black prioritizes quality over quantity. At his age and with his injury history, overloading should be avoided. “I become more confident over time. You just have to be smart and adapt the training according to my needs. This will be the most beneficial. »
She also insists on the satisfaction of having continued as an athlete, despite everything. “Oh my God, I’m so proud! I have been through so many hardships. Above all, she is proud of the woman she has become.
She may have less time than she had left to finally clinch her Olympic medal, but she still believes the future is bright. “Just because you’re getting older doesn’t mean you have to stop. If we are passionate and we still have the flame, why not? It’s fantastic and I’m lucky,” she said humbly.
From Halifax at the top of her game, the gymnast looks ahead with ambition and enthusiasm. A lot of things could have caught up with her, but she’s still here. Somewhere on a beam, between two bars or with a teammate, Ellie Black smiles.