The world’s gaze was fixed on Simone Biles once more. Three years after her struggles with the “twisties” in Tokyo, the greatest gymnast of all time returned to the Olympics, continuing her extraordinary journey.
But Biles didn’t merely pick up where she left off—she innovated and elevated her sport. At 27, her Olympic comeback was nothing short of groundbreaking. On the vault, the apparatus that had led to her withdrawal from individual events in Tokyo, Biles unveiled the Biles II, becoming the first woman to successfully land the Yurchenko double pike at the Olympics.
Even with strapping on her left leg—resulting from a practice mishap that left her with a slight limp—Biles showcased an unparalleled performance. While she chose not to attempt another unique skill on the uneven bars as initially planned, she nonetheless established herself as the leading contender for gold in most of her events. Her dominance was clear, with top scores on the floor and vault that are likely to remain unbeaten through the rest of the qualifiers.
As Biles flawlessly executed her final routine on the uneven bars, a broad smile spread across her face. From the lows of Tokyo to this triumphant moment, her performance in Paris was a testament to her resilience and excellence.
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Returning to competition at last year’s world championships in Antwerp was impressive, but the Olympics bring a unique level of scrutiny and excitement. In Paris, Biles attracted attention from a star-studded crowd, including Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, Tom Cruise, and Snoop Dogg, all eager to witness her brilliance.
During the busy gymnastics qualification, it’s challenging to keep track of every athlete, but all eyes were on Biles when she took the balance beam. As she landed a double somersault and smiled at the audience, it was evident that she had overcome the “twisties,” demonstrating dazzling power and precision.
In the floor routine, Biles executed one of her six named skills, the Biles II, featuring a triple-twisting double tuck. On the vault, she scored 15.300, nearly a full point ahead of her nearest rival, American teammate Jade Carey. In the all-around standings, she finished almost three points clear of defending champion Sunisa Lee.
Now, Biles stands on the brink of history. At 27, she could become the oldest American woman to win Olympic gold in gymnastics, surpassing the previous record by five years, and the oldest in 60 years. With a chance to add to her seven Olympic medals, Biles’ journey towards further greatness is only just beginning.
