that always makes the difference right now, Sabathia said. It just

Excerpted from Courage to Soar: A Body in Motion, A Life in Balance by Simone Biles, Copyright ? 2016 by Simone Biles. Used by permission of Zondervan, www.zondervan.com.From Chapter 19: The Final Five... [On] Tuesday, August 9, our team did exactly what we had been training for so many years to do: We performed almost flawless routines and won team gold. If the all-around win was considered to be the jewel in the crown, the team medal was the crown itself -- the main reason we were there. On the podium afterward, feeling the heavy gold disc around my neck, I felt so privileged to be standing with my teammates. All I could think was, Wow, we did it. How long have I dreamed about this? We were so happy for each other and for ourselves, but our job was only half over. The all-around competition and the event finals were still to come. I wasnt anywhere near finished trying to make my family and my country proud.That afternoon, we told Martha that wed named ourselves the Final Five as a tribute to her. When we explained how wed all agreed on the name, she dabbed the corners of her eyes and said in her thick accent, Oh my God, I love you guys even more now! And she hugged us tightly. The rest of the afternoon and evening was a whirl of press interviews and photo ops, and then it was home to our little pod in the Olympic Village. We all fell right into bed, because we had to be up for our regular eight a.m. training the next morning. Before going to sleep, I carefully folded the green multicolored ribbon around my medal and put it at the bottom of my backpack. Later, they would give us sleek wooden cases to hold our medals, but for now, my makeshift storage would have to do.Can you believe we actually did it? Laurie whispered, stifling a yawn before we drifted off. Were not just Olympians now; were gold medalists.I was too exhausted from happiness to answer, so I just smiled. But when I awoke the next morning, I wasnt quite sure if the day before had all been a dream. I reached for my backpack and pulled out the medal, just to be sure. I unrolled the green ribbon and placed the gold disc in the palm of my hand, feeling its distinctive weight as I sent up a silent prayer of gratitude.Thursday morning, the day of the Olympic all-around competition, dawned bright and clear. The apartment was silent when I opened my eyes. The rest of the girls except for Aly had already gone to breakfast. From there they would head to the training hall. Later, they would be in the gymnastics arena to see Aly and me battle it out with the best in the world for the coveted all-around title.I went to find Aly. She was in her room and still in bed. I feel so good about today, I told her.Me too, she said, holding up one hand for a fist bump.Were so prepared. I have a really good feeling.My heart was galloping in my chest, but it wasnt nerves; it was excitement. I could hardly wait to get into the arena. Aly and I each showered and then we did our hair and makeup together in the living room. We took our time because the competition wouldnt begin until the early afternoon. I outlined my eyes in gold glitter and chose a nude lipstick instead of a bold one. The eye makeup, with my usual winged corners, was dramatic enough, and my sparkly leo would complete the effect. The night before, wed chosen the leos we wanted to wear and laid them out on our beanbag chairs. Aly had opted for the shiny red with lines of crystals fanning out from the neckline like bursts of sunlight, while Id selected a super patriotic number with sheer white crystal-studded sleeves, and dazzling red-and-white stripes running from the shoulders down both sides, framing a high-sheen blue fabric dotted with glittering stars. Id saved this leotard, my favorite, for the all-around. I hoped its shimmer would help me win gold.I was already feeling incredibly happy to be sharing this day with Aly, who was such a rock-solid competitor and friend. As we walked to the bus that would take us to the arena, we held hands like schoolgirls and bobbed our heads to the music coming through our headphones. Every so often wed hug each other and say, Youre good. Youve worked so hard. You deserve to be here. Youve got this. And then wed say, I love you so much. I love you, no matter what. Today will be a good day.Our warm-up in the training hall went without a hitch or a fall, and then it was show time. Before we walked out to compete, we always used the bathroom just in case. As I washed my hands and stared at my face in the mirror, my stomach was suddenly doing somersaults. I plopped down on a bench that was just outside the bathroom and tried to pull myself together. A few moments later, Aly walked out and sat down beside me. When she leaned her head back against the wall, I noticed she looked really pale.Are you okay? I said.She shook her head from left to right.Are you okay? she asked me.No, I said. I feel like Im going to throw up.The two of us sat there for several minutes, breathing slowly and trying to settle ourselves down.Were okay, I said after a while.Weve got this, Aly said.We can do this.Weve done this so many times.I love you, Aly.I love you, Simone.Lets go.We did another fist bump and walked out onto the arena floor.Courage to Soar releases on Tuesday, order your copy here. Authentic Hockey Jerseys . Nigeria beat surprise package Ethiopia 2-0 in the second leg of their playoff for a comfortable 4-1 aggregate victory. Victor Moses converted a 20th-minute penalty after an Ethiopian handball, and Victor Obinna made certain of Nigerias place in Brazil with his powerful free kick in the 82nd at UJ Esuene Stadium. Cheap Hockey Jerseys Authentic . The scientists believe the small earthquake during a Marshawn Lynch touchdown was likely greater than Lynchs famous "beast quake" touchdown run three years ago, which also came against New Orleans during a playoff game. https://www.fakehockeyjerseys.com/ .com) - The women will also have a new champion at the Australian Open. Cyber Monday Hockey Jerseys . Badenhop was 2-3 with a 3.47 ERA in 63 relief appearances for Milwaukee this season. He is 18-20 in his career with three saves and a 3. Hockey Jerseys Black Friday . LOUIS -- St. BOSTON -- Hanley Ramirez couldnt hold back a smile when asked if hes hot yet.Ramirez homered twice and drove in four runs to rally the Boston Red Sox over New York 5-4 on Sunday night, completing a four-game sweep that severely diminished the Yankees chances of winning the AL East.I think we all are, our whole team, Ramirez said. Weve been able to create some rallies when we needed to and continued to fight.Jackie Bradley Jr. had a tying RBI single for the East-leading Red Sox, who overcame a rough start by Drew Pomeranz to post their ninth win in 12 games. Boston remained three games ahead of second-place Baltimore, which beat Tampa Bay 2-1 on Sunday.The Red Sox open a 10-game trip at Baltimore with the first of four games on Monday night.Gary Sanchez belted his 16th homer since Aug. 3 for the Yankees, who dropped eight back in the division and remained four behind Toronto for the second wild-card spot.The Yankees were without second baseman Starlin Castro and center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, who were both injured Saturday. Castro strained his right hamstring running out a double and Ellsbury bruised his right knee sliding into a bullpen wall trying to make a catch.The Red Sox overcame deficits three times in the series, including the opener, when they scored five in the ninth and Ramirez hit a game-ending three-run homer.This teams amazing, Pomeranz said. It seems like were never out of reach. Its fun to watch.This time, Ramirez hit a fly ball that soared over the Green Monster off Tyler Clippard (1-1) for a 5-4 lead in the seventh. It was his 12th homer in 21 games.We couldve won all four of these games here, Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. We just werent able to shut them down. Theyre a very good offense and we understand that.Robby Scott (1-0) retired the only two batters he faced for his first major league victory. Koji Uehara got the final three outs for his seventh save.I couldnt be more excited to be a part of it, said Scott, who played six seasons in Bostons farm system before he was called up to the majors.ddddddddddddew York scored single runs in the first and third before chasing Pomeranz with two in the fourth.But the Red Sox sliced it to 4-3 when Ramirez hit a line drive off the base of a light stanchion above the Monster after CC Sabathia threw widely to first on what would have been an easy inning-ending double play.Ramirez said his teammates were saying make him pay before he walked to the plate.Sabathia said he just tried to be too careful with the throw.Its tough. This time of year its just one play that always makes the difference right now, Sabathia said. It just so happened to bite me.Sabathia gave up four runs and eight hits in five-plus innings.Didi Gregorius drove in the Yankees first run with an RBI double before Sanchez hit a shot that caromed off a billboard above the left-field seats.TRAINERS ROOMYankees: 3B Chase Headley was also out of the lineup after his back stiffened up Saturday.Red Sox: Red Sox slugger David Ortiz struck out as a pinch hitter, getting most of the night off after running the bases a lot the first three games.MOOKIE MAGICRF Mookie Betts made two diving catches in right, the second against Brett Gardner leading off the ninth that brought chants of MVP! MVP!TRENDING DOWNPomeranz had his second straight rough start, giving up four runs in 3 2/3 innings. He lasted just two innings in his previous one, allowing five runs in a loss to the Orioles on Tuesday.UP NEXTYankees: New York is off Monday. RHP Michael Pineda (6-11, 4.94 ERA) is set to start against Tampa Bay LHP Drew Smyly (7-11, 4.98) in the opener of a three-game series on the road Tuesday.Red Sox: RHP Rick Porcello (20-4, 3.12) faces Baltimore RHP Dylan Bundy (9-5, 3.88) on Monday. ' ' '