Simone Biles Leads US to Gymnastics Team Gold, Exorcising Tokyo Demons
Simone Biles, the legendary gymnast, led the United States to a resounding victory in the women’s gymnastics team final at the Paris Olympics, exorcising the demons of Tokyo and claiming her fifth career Olympic gold medal.
Three years after a mental block derailed her performance in Tokyo, Biles and her teammates Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, and Sunisa Lee dominated the competition from start to finish, reclaiming gold ahead of Italy and Brazil.
Biles electrified the crowd with a gravity-defying floor routine that showcased her signature skills, including a double back flip with a half twist and the “triple-double” of two back flips with three twists. The United States posted the highest score on all four apparatus, amassing a total of 171.296 points and a commanding 5.802-point margin over Italy.
For Biles, this victory marked a triumphant return to the Olympic summit after a two-year hiatus during which she prioritized her mental health. Lee, the reigning all-around champion, has since overcome two career-threatening kidney ailments.
“Simone was glad it was over for today,” said coach Cecile Landi. “The whole team hasn’t been easy, it’s had its ups and downs, so to make it happen was just a relief.”
Biles now holds the record for the most Olympic medals in gymnastics history, with eight. Her performance was witnessed by a star-studded audience that included Serena Williams, Nicole Kidman, and Bill Gates.
The United States’ victory was especially poignant for the quartet of gymnasts who had also competed in Tokyo. It was a testament to their resilience and determination to overcome adversity.
