She beat out a field of fierce competitiors to win gold, and was embraced by her ecstatic teammates and coach before stepping up onto the top step of the podium to receive her medal.
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Biles, of Spring, Texas, joins Carly Patterson (2004), Nastia Liukin (2008) and Gabby Douglas (2012) in a string of American all-around champions at the Summer Games.
The Russian scored low to allow Raisman, the Olympic floor champion, to pull ahead with a flawless routine, finishing in tears after four near-flawless routines.
Her win felt drama-free or boring only if you don’t like to watch a virtuoso performer stretching ideas of what’s possible, or see a great creation story come to fruition. “Now in two years, she might be singing a different song”.
Chlorinated water runs in her veins.
Yes, there was a moment where she seemed human – her routine on the bar was below her best – but even that is beyond most.
She also addressed police brutality in the United states in her acceptance speech.
Though Mustafina took a small lead through two rotations, it was a mirage.
Despite understanding the significance of her victory, Manuel said she hoped that one day the colour of her skin would no longer be a talking point. She is basically unbeatable on the floor, on the vault, and on the beam. She went back in front with a 15.433 on beam – and capped it with a 15.933 on floor.
Only the judges don’t hand out flawless scores anymore. Her gravity-defying routines are so hard that she is predicted to walk away with each and every one of them. Four years ago during the London Games, she went home without a medal in the all-around competition despite being tied for third.
American gymnast Simone Biles produced a stunning performance to win the women’s all-around Olympic gold medal Thursday.
She may be shorter than most gymnasts, but the dynamo is going down in history as one of the best in the business.
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Simone will be attending the prestigious UCLA for higher education, but deferred her admission till the 2016 Rio Olympics conclude.
