On Thursday, during the women’s gymnastics all-around competition at the Bercy Arena, a notable message adorned people’s T-shirts, featuring an image of a goat’s head symbolizing the Greatest of All Time. The loudest cheers erupted for Simone Biles whenever her name was announced, not just at the event’s start, but each time she performed on vault, uneven bars, beam, and floor. Many spectators were primarily there to witness Biles’ coronation as the all-around queen.
Biles did not disappoint, securing the gold medal, with Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade winning silver and Biles’ U.S. teammate, Sunisa Lee, the Tokyo Olympics all-around champion, taking bronze. Biles’ victory extended the U.S.’s dominance in the event, with an American gymnast winning the women’s all-around at every Olympics since 2004.
This moment was anticipated. In Tokyo 2021, Biles was expected to repeat her gold medal performance from Rio 2016 but withdrew from most events due to the “twisties,” a condition affecting her ability to twist and flip safely. Biles has since spoken about the immense pressure and anxiety that may have contributed to the twisties.
In Paris, Biles appeared stronger than ever, helping the U.S. team qualify first for the team competition and leading them to gold. The arena seemed poised for her inevitable victory as the competition progressed. However, Biles didn’t view it as a foregone conclusion. She began the competition with her formidable vault, the Biles II, or Yurchenko double pike, scoring a 15.766, the highest of the night, despite a minor step back on the landing.
Biles faced uncharacteristic mistakes on the uneven bars, a routine she usually performs flawlessly. “That’s not the bars routine that I’ve been training,” she admitted post-competition, explaining her efforts to refocus. Despite these setbacks, she posted a strong score on balance beam and delivered a stellar performance on the floor, concluding her routine with Taylor Swift’s “Ready for It.” Her execution of moves named after her, such as the triple twisting double flip and double layout with a half-twist, left no doubt about her claim to the gold medal.
Andrade praised Biles, noting her influence extends beyond gymnastics to inspire athletes globally. Andrade, who won silver, was among the first to congratulate Biles. Biles’ consistent performance in Paris, including her pivotal balance beam routine, showcased her ability to manage pressure, aided by regular therapy sessions.
Throughout the night, Biles executed her signature skills, such as the Biles II on vault and her double-twisting double somersault dismount on beam. She acknowledged the competition from Andrade, which pushed her to perform at her best. Biles decided to perform the Biles II vault to secure her victory.
For Sunisa Lee, the bronze medal was a significant achievement after overcoming two kidney conditions and feeling imposter syndrome following her Tokyo Olympics win. Lee’s journey to another Olympic medal mirrored Nadia Comeneci’s feat of consecutive medals in the all-around event.
Andrade’s repeated silver medal was also meaningful, given her recovery from three ACL tears. Competing against Biles was an honor for her, recognizing Biles’ journey back to top form.
Simone Biles’ victory, while anticipated, underscores the difficulty of making an Olympic team and winning medals. Shannon Miller, tied with Biles as the most decorated U.S. Olympic gymnast, emphasized the challenges athletes face. For Biles, Andrade, and Lee, their medals represent their arduous journeys. For Biles, it’s a validation of her decision to return to gymnastics and reclaim her passion for the sport. “Three years ago, I never thought I’d step foot on the gymnastics floor again,” she reflected. “It’s crazy that I am in the conversation about the greatest of all athletes, because I just still think I’m Simone Biles from Spring, Texas that loves to flip.”
