CNN —The most diverse US women’s gymnastics team in history will begin competing this weekend at the Olympic Games, inspiring younger gymnasts in the process.
But far from Paris, at James Jones Gymnastics Academy (JJGA) in Jonesboro, Georgia, everyone — from the eponymous Jones himself to his gymnasts – are Black.
The gym owner and coach said seeing this year’s diverse Olympic team competing at the highest level in a sport where their race has been underrepresented is inspiring.
“It makes me feel wonderful,” Jones told CNN.
Jones said he had also seen the effect this Olympic team was having on his young gymnasts.
Persons:
—, Jones, –, ” Jones, Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Jade Carey, Jordan Chiles, Hezly Rivera, ”, Zuri Norwood, Danielle Saxon, ” Zuri, Phoenix, Rogers, White, ” Phoenix, she’s, Onnie Rogers, “, there’s, ” Rogers, ‘, Betty Okino, didn’t, that’s, Brown, ” Corrinne Tarver, we’ve, ’ ”, Tarver, “ We’re, ” Tarver, ” Zuri’s, Cruz Norwood
Organizations:
CNN, Olympic Games, USA, James Jones Gymnastics Academy, Olympic, Tokyo Games, Team USA’s, Norwood, Phoenix Rogers, NCAA, UCLA, of Comparative, University of Chicago, Fisk University
Locations:
Paris, Jonesboro , Georgia, Chicago, Georgia