Simone Biles scoops gymnastic win wearing teal leotard in solidarity of sexual abuse victims

By Marie Claire Dorking
Yahoo Style UK
August 20, 2018

https://www.yahoo.com/news/simone-biles-wins-5th-gymnastic-title-wearing-teal-leotard-solidarity-sexual-abuse-victims-091220041.html

Simone Biles wore a teal leotard in solidarity of victims of sexual abuse

Simone Biles’ leotard had been eight months in the planning

Olympic gymnastics champion Simone Biles has won praise for not only winning her fifth all-round title, but doing so in a leotard that honoured the survivors of sexual abuse.

The 21-year-old donned the specially designed leotard on Sunday as she became the first woman in 24 years to be awarded the top score in every single event of a national championship.

The leotard, which was reportedly eight months in the planning, was a beautiful teal colour, chosen specifically because teal is the designated colour for survivors of sexual abuse.

Back in January Simone Biles revealed that she was among the victims of former USA gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar.

More than 150 women spoke in court against Nassar, who was sentenced to 40-to-175 years in prison for seven charges and 40-to-125 years for three additional charges.

“[The colour] is for the survivors,” Biles said according to the Associated Press.

“I stand with all of them and I think it’s kind of special to unite (people).”

The ‘Go Teal’ campaign was designed to give people the opportunity to stand in solidarity with the survivors who stepped forward to testify during Nassar’s hearing.

Students wore teal ribbons and t-shirts, in the hope that the colour would help inspire a new movement encouraging and applauding survivors for their bravery.