In Simone Biles’ path, a fearless young gymnast learns new 2020 routine

In Simone Biles’ path, a fearless young gymnast learns new 2020 routine

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Ty-La Morris has always been special.

She was "a little older than one" when she crawled to the edge of her bed and did the splits, according to her mother, Likisha McCormick, and was three years old when she mastered the cartwheel, able to flip around the length of a football field.

. New York, United States. Reuters/Idris Solomon
McCormick and Ty-La prepare to deliver gifts.

"I used to tell my coworkers every day and they all kept saying, put her in gymnastics. I'm like, I can't afford gymnastics.

Gymnastics is very expensive," said McCormick, who lives with Ty-La in New Windsor, more than an hour north of New York City.

. New York, United States. Reuters/Idris Solomon
Ty-La trains at the Wendy Hilliard Gymnastics Foundation.

Raw talent met opportunity two years ago when Ty-La, who is now 13, began classes at the Wendy Hilliard Gymnastics Foundation, which offers free and discounted classes for children in Detroit and in New York - and is now fighting to serve hundreds of students amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

. New York, United States. Reuters/Idris Solomon
Wendy Hilliard and Zariah Hayes watch gymnasts.

"Trying to keep these kids together has been what I've been working the hardest to do," said founder Wendy Hilliard, a Hall of Fame rhythmic gymnast, who rolled out "Zoom" classes as the pandemic sent families indoors and later found spaces across the New York City metro area for her students, including a tennis court in the Bronx and a gym in Yonkers.

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Gymnasts Hailey Montero, Rylee Bailey and Miranda Ortiz train.

Throughout the year, she's fought to find those facilities for her students to keep them competitive and in shape, as more affluent private gyms that serve predominantly white communities have the resources to stay open.

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Hilliard consoles gymnast Chelsea Taylor Moore during a competition.

"I'm so frustrated that the priority - you know, if you have money, stuff like that, you can have your kids do these extra activities and other kids can't if they're urban kids or they don't have the spaces," said Hilliard. "We've been trying to navigate that part."

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Ty-La gets ready to train on a Zoom call at her home in New Windsor.

For Ty-La Morris, a fearless tumbling and trampoline gymnast who dreams of attending UCLA, the COVID-19 pandemic has meant adapting to a social life on Zoom after the coronavirus shattered daily routines.

"They were having their regular meeting times (online) every day, even though it's probably just stretching or whatever," said McCormick. "The first time they had a meeting at a gym, they were just ecstatic to see each other. They were overjoyed. And I'm like, this hurts because they're really close."

. New York, United States. Reuters/Idris Solomon
Ty-La trains.

She draws her inspiration from Gabby Douglas, the 2012 Olympic all-around champion, and earned the nickname "Gabby" from her former cheer squad.

"She would tell me, 'Oh, mom, I'm going to the Olympics. I'm going to buy you a house, car and everything is going to be good. I'm going to the Olympics," said McCormick.

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Gymnasts Carter Beckles, ZaQuae Carter, Kaya Beckles, Ty-La and Phoenix Britt train.

Ty-La, who said she's also drawn comparisons to 2016 Olympic champion Simone Biles, said a full - a tumbling move where a gymnast flips backwards and twists - was her favorite move that she's learned through her classes at Wendy Hilliard Foundation.

She's also formed rock-solid bonds there with other students.

. New York, United States. Reuters/Idris Solomon
Ty-La trains at her home.

"We are very close. We (are) like brothers and sisters," said Ty-La, who does abdominal workouts and push-ups to stay fit at home, on top of the instructional videos posted online by the Wendy Hilliard Foundation.

She's picked up new skills during 2020, despite the numerous hurdles that come with training in the middle of a pandemic, learning how to do a front full, double backs and more.

"I just always wanted to do gymnastics because I just love to flip," said Ty-La, "And now I'm doing it."

. New York, United States. Reuters/Idris Solomon
Gymnasts train.

Athletes like Douglas and Biles ushered in an era where Black excellence in gymnastics has been front-and-center for Ty-La and aspiring gymnasts her age, said Hilliard, who was the first African-American woman to represent the United States Rhythmic Gymnastics team.

And in a year where Biles' Olympic dreams were postponed, it was her candor outside of the gym - opening up about her mental health and wellness - that once again lit a path.

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Gymnast Comora Johnson trains.

"Seeing her be so strong was very helpful because it was like even the greatest gymnast in the world is struggling," said Hilliard. "You know, the time is different for us. You can sit up and take off six months a year and move on. But a kid who's like nine years old a year is so long."

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Slideshow

Ty-La trains.
. New York, United States. Reuters/Idris Solomon

Ty-La trains.

Cox trains Rylee Bailey.
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Cox trains Rylee Bailey.

Rylee trains.
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Rylee trains.

Rylee embraces a teammate.
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Rylee embraces a teammate.

Tatiana Brown, Alaijah Ragin and Chelsea train together.
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Tatiana Brown, Alaijah Ragin and Chelsea train together.

Gymnasts train.
. New York, United States. Reuters/Idris Solomon

Gymnasts train.

Coach Fabu Cox trains gymnasts.
. New York, United States. Reuters/Idris Solomon

Coach Fabu Cox trains gymnasts.

Ty-La wears a protective face mask during a training session.
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Ty-La wears a protective face mask during a training session.

Avion Pugh trains.
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Avion Pugh trains.

Sanai Bastian and Kaya get ready to train.
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Sanai Bastian and Kaya get ready to train.

Judges register gymnasts Avion Pugh and Chelsea Taylor Moore who are preparing to compete in the Harlem Gymnastics Invitational competition.
. New York, United States. Reuters/Idris Solomon

Judges register gymnasts Avion Pugh and Chelsea Taylor Moore who are preparing to compete in the Harlem Gymnastics Invitational competition.

Comora, Rielle Taitt-Lance and Londyn Morris embrace during the Harlem Gymnastics Invitational competition.
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Comora, Rielle Taitt-Lance and Londyn Morris embrace during the Harlem Gymnastics Invitational competition.

Londyn, Comora, Canairi Storman and Miranda take part in the Harlem Gymnastics Invitational competition.
. New York, United States. Reuters/Idris Solomon

Londyn, Comora, Canairi Storman and Miranda take part in the Harlem Gymnastics Invitational competition.

Avion celebrates with Chelsea after Avion won first place in the Harlem Gymnastics Invitational competition.
. New York, United States. Reuters/Idris Solomon

Avion celebrates with Chelsea after Avion won first place in the Harlem Gymnastics Invitational competition.