Ellie Black.Photo illustration The Globe and Mail. Source photo Justin Tang/The Canadian Press
Longevity is rare in elite women’s gymnastics. Yet Canada’s Ellie Black is heading to her fourth consecutive Olympics at the age of 28, in a sport in which the flexibility of youth is typically an asset to the acrobatic high-fliers as they flip, twist and vault under the scrutiny of judges.
The Halifax native has produced several Canadian-best performances in her lengthy career, including medals at world championships, Pan Am and Commonwealth Games. There is even a skill named after her in the code of points for international gymnastics – the Black – a unique piked half-turn on uneven bars she introduced to competition in 2022.
But Canada’s most-decorated female artistic gymnast is still aiming to earn her first Olympic medal. She spoke with The Globe while promoting Sobey’s Feed The Dream campaign in advance of the Paris Games.
In the span of four Olympic cycles, how has your role changed, from 16-year-old Ellie at the 2012 London Olympics, to now?
At my first Olympics in 2012, I was one of the youngest, least experienced on the team. I relied on the veterans to help me feel comfortable and not overwhelmed. Since then, I’ve transitioned into a veteran leadership role. That’s a goal of mine – to help the younger ones, share my experiences with them, to help us all be at our best and to get the most out of the journey. Every Olympics is unique – different country, different team and lead-up. But the Olympics themselves, that remains the same, and you know you have the skills and knowledge to be prepared. For me, the journey now is about gratitude. I’m surrounded by an amazing team and people who believe in me.
When and where were you happiest?
It was in 2022 after the world championships when our Canadian team made history and won a bronze medal for Canada and qualified a team straight through to the Paris Olympics. I went down to South Africa with my parents because my parents are from South Africa, and I spent time with grandparents, cousins, uncles and aunts that were all there. I think just those two trips coupled together really brought all of my worlds together and it was just amazing. I was so happy to be able to do the sport that I love and to help my country, and live in that moment of achieving that long-term goal. And to be able to share that with my family to experience their life and culture and be with the people who have supported me. Being so far away, plus with my sport, it’s hard to make the time for a family trip, but you need to.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Just becoming the person, that athlete, I am today and hopefully having a big impact on younger athletes, and females in the sport, and people from smaller provinces and cities. I hoped to show that it doesn’t matter where you come from. If you have a dream, and you work hard and find people who want to help support you, you can make it happen.
What has been your hardest day?
It was losing my long-time coach [Keiji Yamanaka], who coached me growing up. He believed in me since Day 1. He was like a second dad. I’m getting emotional talking about it. He was like a part of our family, and the reason that I got into the sport and to the level that I am. He passed two years ago. It was really difficult. It’s a sad memory, but a good one too, because we had a nice celebration of life for him, and you could see how many people he impacted.
What’s your greatest fear?
Letting people down. I think that’s a common one for athletes. We are people pleasers and we are always aiming for perfection, and we have a lot of people who look up to us. But I think we’re also in a position to show that we are human and that it’s okay to make mistakes and to be scared of things.
You’ve been outspoken about the need for cultural change in gymnastics. What prompted you to speak out and have you noticed any change?
That’s something I’m passionate about. Kids should be able to take part and feel comfortable and safe and have amazing opportunities. Not just kids, but athletes of any age. We want it to be a healthy, safe environment and welcoming and inclusive. As I’ve grown up in the sport, I’ve seen and been on a lot of teams, and I’ve seen how it can be done well. I’ve had that experience, and it can be so rewarding when you have the right support and do it in a healthy way. I’ve also seen where it hasn’t been done the right way. We have to move past it – that cannot be the way this sport develops in the future. I’m passionate about trying to work on changing the sports culture, especially in gymnastics, helping that shift happen and keeping people accountable. We can talk about it, but we have to take actions. My coach is a big advocate for that, too. Both of us have tried to advocate for that shift in the sports culture. I think we are starting to see that happen in gymnastics. Internationally, you’re seeing a lot of it change, but there still is a long way to go.
Is there a book or an author that has resonated with you?
I’d say Tolkien. I grew up loving The Lord of the Rings. I read the books, I watched all the movies. That is a great memory of growing up and it was a great world to escape to, reading The Lord of the Rings, and The Hobbit.
What is your greatest regret?
Over the course of the past 10 years, not taking more time to be present and travel more to South Africa and be around my family, to take more vacations with my family or friends. We get so caught up in the highest level of sport, and time passes by. But it’s important to take time to go make memories and to expand other avenues of my life and not just focus on gymnastics. Now as an adult in the sport, I’ve learned that it’s okay to take that time. I’ve done it and come back and put myself in a better situation than just powering through and not making time for those special people.
What job might you like to pursue?
I want to stay involved in sport and develop programs for the next generations, and help others have the same opportunities and experiences I’ve had. I would love to do sports commentating for gymnastics, or work with the Canadian Olympic Committee or the sport federation.
What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?
To me, the best gift is a good hug. I think that says more than any physical object that one can receive. And just feeling genuine support, or words of encouragement from family and the people closest to me, those who know me best as a person and not as an athlete.
Maybe this is an odd question for someone who already knows some very famous Olympians, like Simone Biles. But at your fourth Olympics, is there an athlete from anywhere in the world that you’ve yet to meet that you hope to this time?
I would love to get to know a lot more of the Canadian athletes. At my first Olympic Games, I didn’t really know any of the Canadian athletes, and I got to meet some and we became friends. At the next Olympics, you feel connected and invested in their journey because you have that personal connection. We live a similar lifestyle. In Halifax I’m not surrounded by many athletes. I’m one of the athletes that stays and trains here. So it’s nice to meet people you can talk to, and relate to. It’s very supportive.