The 2024 Paris Olympics witnessed an unprecedented setback for the United States in women’s gymnastics, as neither Simone Biles nor Suni Lee managed to secure a podium finish on the balance beam. This marked the first time since the 2000 Sydney Olympics that the US failed to medal in the event.
Biles, a three-time Olympian, had hoped to redeem herself on the beam after winning bronze in both Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. However, she suffered a major setback when she fell during her acrobatic series, ending her streak of consecutive Olympic medals in the event.
Lee, who had won bronze on the uneven bars earlier in the competition, also faced disappointment on the beam. She stumbled and fell during a flip, landing awkwardly and eventually falling off the beam. Despite completing her routine, she was visibly upset with her performance.
Italy’s Alice D’Amato emerged as the surprise gold medalist with a score of 14.366, marking her country’s first beam gold and her first individual Olympic medal. China’s Yaqin Zhou earned silver, while Italy’s Manila Esposito took bronze.
D’Amato’s clean routine stood out among the finalists, four of whom, including Biles and Lee, fell during their performances. Lee expressed her disappointment but remained optimistic, stating, “I just need to go and do the work and put all the effort in and maybe one day you’ll have it.”
The absence of Biles and Lee on the balance beam podium was a significant upset, highlighting the challenges and pressure faced by elite athletes at the highest level of competition. Despite their setbacks, both athletes demonstrated resilience and determination, vowing to return stronger in future competitions.
