Katelyn Ohashi
Olympic Spirit Award; Gymnast
Like Maia and Alex Shibutani, gymnast Katelyn Ohashi has become an inspiration who transcends sports. The UCLA senior is widely admired for her athletic artistry: Already this year, Katelyn has scored a “perfect 10” six times on her unique, creative floor exercise. The video of her first “10” went viral and has been viewed more than 110 million times online. Katelyn is the defending NCAA Co-Champion in the floor exercise, and UCLA is the defending NCAA Team Champion. She has brought unprecedented positive attention – and sell-out crowds – to gymnastics, exuding a joy for the sport and for her teammates that resonates with millions. Most impressively, Katelyn has used her platform to speak out on issues of self-worth, inclusiveness, empathy and balancing ambition and fulfillment. Once destined for the Olympics, she changed course due to injuries and a conformist culture that sapped her spirit. Katelyn rediscovered her love for gymnastics at UCLA, where she “expanded her passion to help bring awareness to the effects of bullying, body shaming and self-destructive behavior that comes with being in abusive relationships,” says her coach, Valorie Kondos Field. “It is her depth as a conscious and deeply caring human that enriches her performances on the competition floor.” Is there a better description of the Olympic spirit?