Simone Biles: The Greatest Gymnast in History Secures More Gold
Simone Biles capped her redemption tour on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, leading Team USA to victory in the women’s artistic gymnastics team final at the Paris Olympics. The U.S. scored 171.296, comfortably ahead of Italy’s 165.494, while Brazil clinched the bronze with a historic score of 164.497.
"It feels amazing. We love it, we’re excited," Biles told Olympics.com after the win. "We got the job done."
This victory marks the fourth U.S. team gold in the event, following successes in Atlanta 1996, London 2012, and Rio 2016. Italy’s silver is its first women's team medal since 1928.
The team’s triumph is particularly sweet for Biles, who had to withdraw from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics due to the ‘twisties,’ a mental block that left her unable to land her flips safely. This setback fueled her drive to return stronger, alongside Tokyo teammates Jordan Chiles, Suni Lee, and Jade Carey, with newcomer Hezly Rivera completing the squad.
"This is definitely our redemption tour," Biles had stated at the U.S. Olympic trials. "We have a lot of weight on our shoulders to prove that we're better athletes, more mature, smarter, and more consistent."
Biles started strong on vault with a 14.900, giving the U.S. a lead of 44.100 to 42.666 over China. Carey, dealing with illness, scored 14.800 on vault, just behind Biles. After two rotations, the Americans led Italy by 3.102 points, with Lee’s 14.566 on uneven bars adding to the advantage.
Despite a wobbly start on the balance beam, with Chiles missing her mount, Lee and Biles steadied the team’s performance. On floor exercise, Lee and Chiles set the stage for Biles, who clinched the gold with a stellar 14.666 on her signature triple-twisting, double back. Her fifth Olympic gold medal makes her one of only three Americans, alongside Gabby Douglas and Aly Raisman, to win two Olympic team golds.
Biles now holds eight Olympic medals, surpassing Shannon Miller’s seven. With 38 medals across the Olympics and World Championships, she’s the most decorated gymnast ever.
At a post-competition press conference, Biles downplayed her records. "Honestly, I would have had to Google that," she said. "I don’t keep count. I just do what I love and enjoy it, so that’s what matters to me."
The team’s journey included overcoming setbacks and proving their resilience. Carey, who struggled in qualifying, delivered on vault with a 14.800 score. Rivera, the team’s youngest member, did not compete in the final but will receive a medal for her qualifying performance.
Suni Lee, who won the all-around gold in Tokyo, emphasized the team’s growth. "This time around, we’re so much more mature and know our strengths and limits," she said. Biles and Lee will also compete head-to-head in the all-around final, marking the first time two Olympic all-around champions face off.
As Team USA celebrates, the 32-year Olympic medal streak for U.S. women continues, a testament to their enduring excellence in gymnastics.
