This seems like an ideal that I would love, and that the American public needs, but these federations are very Reactionary.
I got the book right, woohoo! The sentiment was off a bit, in context with the book. It’s the packaging aspect that I take from it, that you have to “fit the mold”.
I think America doesn’t have darlings anymore because of the emerging diversity, yes, but then you have the Frank Carroll’s of the world, who still have a voice, and even though he had Kwan, you can TELL it was all about packaging with him.
Sometimes it takes an all world talent to completely break the mold. Gymnastics had Simone Biles. Who will be USFSA’s Biles?
Hello, Debi Thomas would like to be acknowledged for her world championship, power moves and skating-while-black.
Gabby Douglas would like to be acknowledged for being the first African-American all-around gold medalist in gymnastics. Mary Lou Retton would liked to be acknowledged for being the "baby bull" of American gymnastics back in 1984 and showing that power wins.
One of the things that irritates me is that the true groundbreakers in sports are getting forgotten because they don't fit the storyline that gets built up.