Olympic Gymnast Falls While Competing

On August 7, Great Britain gymnast Ellie Downie (17 years old) was performing her floor routine in the Rio olympics and fell on her neck. She quickly shrugged it off but then her neck hurt and decided to not finish her last tumbling pass because she didn’t want to risk getting hurt further. She left to go get checked out and make sure everything was okay.

Then, she wanted to prove her dedication to her team and returned to do her vault. She played a big role in getting her team to qualify for the team finals. She is described as “the team's strongest vaulter.” She says, “I’m just a really strong competitor and I don’t really like to give up.” Some people are also saying that she shouldn't have been allowed to compete because she got injured. 

Read the full story here.

Watch the video here.

What she had to say about her fall here.

Questions:

  1. What do you think about her returning to finish her other event? And what would you do if you were her?

  2. Do you think she should’ve been allowed to come back and compete or should she of been sent home? And why?

 My Opinion:

  1. I think it’s awesome she was showing so much dedication to her team to come back and help them. I don’t know what I would do if I were her. But I would probably end up doing what she did and get checked out to make sure it was okay to compete.

  2. I think as long as her doctors thought it was okay then she should’ve been allowed to compete.

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Replies

  • Great job Tara!

  • I think it was really impressive of her to return to her other event. Not many gymnasts would do that, especially after being injured. If I were her, I guess it would have depended on how big of an injury and how I would have felt afterwards. I think she should have been allowed because it wasn't wrong at all. It was her choice to perform. 

  • I think it was cool of her to do for her, and her team. If the doctors said I was okay to do it then I would. Of course she wanted to stay and try to compete if she was able to. I think if the doctors were concerned, than I wouldn't finish the events I was suppose to do. 

  • Okay, I think it is okay that she finish. I have just recently watched a video about a girl that fractured her ankle and then continued just to get her team the gold. Then after she ran her final event she broke her ankle in the landing. I think if she wanted to come back and compete then it was up to her. No on else should decide her choices. 

  • I think it showed great dedication that she came back ton finish her other event. If it was me I'm not quite sure what I would have done (I think gymnastics is a crazy sport and I would like to keep my feet on the ground), but at the same time she has probably worked for this since age 3 and wouldn't want to give up her dream when she is so close... Are you passionate enough about anything that you wouldn't let an injury get in the way of you reaching your dream? if so, what?

  • I think it was a great Idea and she still helped her team out and got them to where they wanted to! I would have done the same thing and got back up and would have keep going for my team! I think she should because she is part of the team and everyone mess up and yet they can go and do the other thing they had. I feel though she should have gone home and rest because she fell on her neck. 

    • Yes. I think it was a great idea she still helped her team out. I think I would've done anything I could to help my team out and I would want to finish for myself because you train your whole life to get to the Olympics. I wouldn't want to miss out on an amazing opportunity like that. I would definitely just rest after my last event. The doctors gave her the okay so I think it's okay. 

  • I actually watched this on TV and it was really cool to see her show so much dedication! I probably would've done the same thing because if I made it all the way to the Olympics, I would not easily give up on myself, my team or my country. I do think she she should've been allowed to compete as long as the injury wasn't too life threatening and of the doctors approved. It's her body so it should be her decision to choose what she can and can't handle. 

    • Exactly! I agree. It's her body and it's her decision if she wants to compete. I think since her doctors said it was okay everyone should stop saying she shouldn't have competed because obviously it's her neck and she knows how bad it feels. She knows what her body can take. 

  • I think that it's awesome that she finished it off strong for her team! I would probably do the same thing as her if I wasn't hurting too bad! Yes, I think that she should've been allowed because if the doctors said it was okay then she should have the right to do it.

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