The 2024 Paris Summer Games gave her several exciting moments. The atmosphere was electrifying right from the Opening Ceremony. Who could forget the viral photo of Lebron James and Coco Gauff braving the rains over the Seine River, holding onto the American Flag? Even though Team USA’s Simone Biles and Co. missed all the joy, they shut all the naysayers down with their much-anticipated Redemption Tour.
But we weren’t the only ones who got caught up in the grandeur of the Olympics this year. On September 30, President Joe Biden welcomed athletes who represented the United States to the White House. While expressing his gratitude, he mentioned how he and his staff couldn’t help but watch them at the Games. However, now the nation has shifted its focus to the ongoing race for the U.S. Presidential Seat between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris. As we anticipate who the 47th President of the United States will be, a few athletes have made it clear where they stand.
Simone Biles clears the air on Election Day
This year has particularly been fruitful for the 27-year-old. Simone Biles made a triumphant comeback at the Paris Games and reclaimed her throne amidst a raucous cheer at the Bercy Arena. With four new Olympic medals, she had finally done what she intended to. However, with the ongoing Presidential elections, the Olympian couldn’t help but make her allegiance as clear as ever. On November 5, she shared Erica Chidi’s post on her Instagram Stories captioned, “♀️♀️♀️♀️♀️ i don’t make the rules.”
The post included a carousel of images supporting the restoration of bodily autonomy in the nation. Kamala Harris made ab–tion rights the primary focus of her Presidential campaign and pledged to sign legislation that would restore the federal right to make that decision. But wait, there’s more. The 27-year-old opened up about who she’d like to see in the White House on Election Day. She captioned her Instagram Threads post, “let’s go kamala mamala.”
But the Olympian has shared her stance on the Presidential candidates before as well. Social media was ablaze in September. What went down? Many believed that Simone Biles donated $4 million to Kamala Harris’ Presidential campaign. The rumors were never confirmed. However, it’s safe to say that the G.O.A.T. isn’t shy to admit that she would love for the nation to have its first female President for the upcoming tenure. Yet she isn’t the only gymnast who’s shared her opinions with the fans.
Like Simone Biles, Suni Lee is all for Kamala Harris as the next U.S. President
The gymnast debuted on the world’s biggest stage at the 2020 Tokyo Games. Suni Lee became the first Hmong American to compete at the Olympics. After Simone Biles withdrew from contention, the gymnast took up the challenge. She clinched gold in the individual all-around event, becoming the first Asian-American female gymnast to accomplish this feat. The Olympian also clinched a bronze in the uneven bars and a team silver medal at the Japanese capital. However, Paris was magical for more than one reason. She bagged three more medals, becoming the first American woman to clinch two consecutive medals in the uneven bars. So, how does this tie into the elections?
Being the first Hmong American, her successful stint at the Games helped bring more attention to Hmong Americans. But who knew an invisible string tied the gymnast to Kamala Harris? No, the Presidency candidate is not Hmong. Yet they still had one factor bringing them together. The 21-year-old and Harris are both Asian Americans. But here’s the kicker. On July 23, Harris’ campaign team and surrogates set up shop at the Hmong Village Shopping Center in St. Paul, Minnesota, on July 23. Seeing the candidate in her hometown could have motivated the Olympian to pledge her allegiance.
On November 5, Kamala Harris shared a post on her official Instagram account, reminding the nation to ensure their votes are heard. With voting day in full swing, Suni Lee reposted it on her Instagram story with a straightforward caption, “vote vote vote !!!! ” It’s safe to say that the 21-year-old, just like her compatriot, Simone Biles, would prefer Harris to be the nation’s first female President. But their Asian-American connection definitely sweetens the pot.
Allyson Felix’s wishful thinking for her daughter
For the first time since 2000, Allyson Felix wouldn’t contest in the French capital. After consistently dominating the track through 5 Olympic berths, she realized it was time to hang up her spikes in 2022. However, nothing could keep her away from the sport. So she still set out to the City of Lights as a member of the International Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission. Did you know that she was the primary reason for the Olympic Village to have a nursery in Paris? She wanted to make the experience more comfortable for athletes with young children, much like herself. So, who did she back in the much-anticipated elections?
When Barron’s caught up with the most decorated athlete in Paris, she stated that it would be “monumental” to watch Harris emerge victorious. Simone Biles, Suni Lee, and Felix might have different reasons to support the candidate. However, they do agree on one thing. There would be no better result than Harris becoming the first woman elected. However, the 38-year-old has another crucial reason for this. She emphasizes how enriching this would be for black children in the nation. “I mean, speaking as a mother to a little black girl, I want to see something like that,” she confessed.
But what if we tell you that this confidence comes from personal experience? During the 2020 Presidential campaign, Allyson Felix and Vice President Kamala Harris collaborated on Instagram Live to discuss Black Maternal Health. This topic meant a lot to both of them. Even if it was a struggle to figure the technological bits out, they saw the conversation through. Factors like this helped her decide to endorse the candidate. Yet, most of all, she believes this is something her daughter should be able to witness.
Megan Rapinoe gave Kamala Harris the stamp of approval
In July, the 2012 Olympic gold medalist attended the “White Woman: Answer the Call” fundraiser hosted by Glendon Doyle. But she wasn’t the only one. More than 160,000 women came together on Zoom, raising over $2 million. During the call, Megan Rapinoe urged everyone to help elect the nation’s first female black President. But what if we tell you this isn’t the first time she’s openly pledged her allegiance to Kamala Harris?
15 days before D-day, the 2x World Cup champion shared an appeal with fans on her Instagram. On October 22, Rapinoe shared an image of her celebrating during her stint at the 2019 World Cup campaign in collaboration with Doug Emhoff, Harris’ husband. In her heartfelt caption, Rapinoe emphasized why she was voting for Kamala Harris. One of the factors was her belief in the power of coalition building. She reiterated that making the right choice would help build a better future. The Olympian had shared a similar stance a few years ago.
When Hillary Clinton ran for the elections in 2016, Megan Rapinoe made her stance extremely clear. However, this had a deeper meaning. Why did she endorse the candidate back then? The athlete believed that Clinton would change the mentality of pay inequality. But she isn’t alone. Who else counts on Kamala Harris to bring a change in the nation?
Steph Curry endorsed the Presidential candidate during the Olympic Games
The 4x NBA champion made his much-awaited debut in the City of Light. In fact, Harris had visited Curry and Co. during their Las Vegas training camp earlier this year. But they have one thing in common. They’re both Bay Area natives and eventually realized their political views aligned. After voicing his support for the Presidential candidate, he opined that a successful US Olympic campaign might help unite the nation.
Steph Curry stated how Harris had been a longtime supporter of the Golden State Warriors, so he wanted to give that same energy back. But it’s not just the shared connection that drew him towards the Presidential candidate. The athlete has been a notable DNC supporter. In fact, he and his family endorsed Joe Biden back in 2020 as well. Additionally, when he won his first ring in 2015, Curry was ecstatic about the traditional White House visit with Barack Obama.
Yet his unabashed support brought heavy backlash from the masses. But he still stands by his decision. Why is that, you ask? Speaking to Bloomberg Originals’ Emily Chang, the athlete believes in this. While Steph Curry isn’t worried about whether people agree or disagree with him, this was his way of breaking the ice to bring on a conversation about the situation that’s currently at hand. Regardless of how this race unfolds, Simone Biles and her fellow Olympians didn’t shy away from endorsing their belief that it was the right choice for their nation.