In a stunning display of athleticism and resilience, Simone Biles has won the all-around gymnastics title at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, earning her second Olympic gold medal in the discipline and sixth overall. Not only does the victory solidify her legacy as the world’s most decorated gymnast, it also marks the longest-serving all-around title in 72 years.
Historical achievements
At age 27, Biles made history by becoming the first gymnast to win non-consecutive all-around Olympic titles, demonstrating her remarkable longevity in a sport often dominated by teenagers. The last 12 Olympic all-around champions were all teenagers, and the last non-teenage champion, Ludmilla Tourischeva, won in 1972 at age 20.
Biles’ gold medal journey began with her signature “Biles II” vault, the most difficult vault in women’s gymnastics. She initially finished second to Brazil’s Rebecca Andrade, but despite an unusual error on the uneven bars, Biles regained the lead with a breathtaking balance beam routine, scoring 14.566 points. The performance thrilled the crowd at the Bercy Arena, and she rose to the top of the standings again.
Dominate the final spin
Biles, who came into the final rotation on the floor exercise with a narrow 0.166 point lead, delivered a perfect performance that showcased her outstanding technique. Her total score of 59.131 put her comfortably ahead of Andrade, who took silver, while Sunisa Lee took bronze. Biles’ 1.199 point victory underscored her dominance and solidified her status as the GOAT in gymnastics.
Biles celebrated her victory by wearing a sparkly goat necklace, a fitting tribute to her unparalleled achievements in the sport. Not only did her performance delight fans, but it also served as a reminder of her journey back to the top after withdrawing from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics due to mental health issues.
The road to recovery and restoration
After a two-year hiatus from competitive gymnastics, Biles returned to the sport with renewed energy and determination, and her transformation was evident as she described her calm and preparedness ahead of the competition. “I started therapy this morning and told my therapist I was calm and prepared, and that’s exactly what happened,” she shared.
Biles’ teammates, including Jordan Chiles, have noted a positive change in her attitude since the Tokyo Olympics. “You can definitely tell she’s a different person now compared to Tokyo,” Chiles said, highlighting the growth and resilience Biles has shown throughout her career.
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