Simone Biles has inspired a new generation of Black gymnasts. One of those gymnasts is Verity Ofori-Kuragu.
Verity is so enthralled by the Olympian that she decided to dedicate her “Gymnast of the Week” trophy to Biles, reported Because Of Them We Can.
The young athlete was recently awarded the “Gymnast of the Week” award. The honor came just as Biles pulled out of many of her Olympic contests due to mental health and other concerns. When Verity’s mother explained why Biles would not be competing, she did what every tender-hearted child would.
In a YouTube video, Verity dedicates her trophy to Biles so that she (Biles) could have something to make up for the events she missed.
“Hi Simone Biles, it’s Verity here…I love your gymnastics, and I’m sorry to hear you’re not feeling well. Well done for taking a break, and I’m dedicating my trophy to you. I hope you get better soon and you’re the greatest of all time. I love you, Simone.”
She then offers a barrage of air kisses.
The video ends with a montage of Verity in all of her flipping glory.
Verity, 4, is a native of the United Kingdom and a child of Ghanaian parents. By the time she was two years old, her tumbling prowess had already put most of us who are struggling to do cartwheels to shame by doing wall handstands.
Soon, after seeing Black British artistic gymnast Joe Fraser on television, the young powerhouse decided that gymnastics was the sport for her.
“I assured Verity that when she turned three, we would enroll her to start doing gymnastics,” her mother, Britta Ofori-Kuragu, said. The little girl turned three in March 2020, but COVID momentarily interrupted her segue into formal lessons.
During the pandemic, Britta would show Verity videos of Biles on the internet, and the child would comment on how she and the champion gymnast resembled each other.
There’s no word yet if Simone Biles has seen the video.
However, Verity, who already runs a business selling African-centered merchandise called My Beyoutiful Identify by Verity, has already stolen our hearts.
