Biles won gold on Tuesday in the women’s floor exercise – her fourth of the Olympic Games, and fifth medal in total.
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U.S. star Simone Biles got the golden finale she craved in Rio with a record-equalling fourth women’s crown but former gymnastics power China leave the Games on a low.
The Rio Olympics have been good to the US gymnastics team: With five medals in one Olympics, Biles is now tied with swimmers Katie Ledecky and Missy Franklin for the most medals won by an American woman at one Olympics.
The 19-year-old American recovered from an uncharacteristic mistake in yesterday’s balance beam event, where a near-fall meant she had to settle for bronze, by producing another dazzling display on her way to a commanding score of 15.966.
Simone Biles of the USA competes during the women’s floor final, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Aug 16, 2016.
Make the Olympic team.
While the success of the women’s gymnastics team in Rio seems to be what everyone is talking about, the question on everybody’s minds – and one that lingered before she even stepped onto the mat Tuesday – was whether or not Biles would retire. “Her skills come very naturally”.
The finals for the women’s discus were also this morning, with Croatia’s Sandra Perkovic winning the gold medal.
Amy Tinkler of Great Britain won bronze.
“I can’t remember the last time I actually genuinely enjoyed gymnastics this much, so it’s been really nice”, Raisman said after the event.
“I came out here to qualify”, Bolt said, “and that’s what I did”.
“Before the Games I said this was going to be my last competition”. The 22-year-old team captain picked up her third medal in Brazil and sixth overall with silver on floor, a moment she wasn’t sure would arrive when she began her methodical comeback two years ago.
“I think it’s been just as stressful for my parents as it is for me”, Raisman said.
Biles pulled out all the stops, including her signature move, which consists of a double layout with a half-twist that she seals with a blind landing. That’s it. Better to just leave things vague.
In the words of the late great rap legend and record executive Heavy D, Biles “started with a pow and ended with a bang”.
Even if Biles had nailed her beam routine, there’s no telling whether she would have matched Wevers and Hernandez.
The medals gave the American women nine during the meet, the most ever by the U.S.at an Olympics. Biles, for her part, also confessed to NBC that she owns a life-sized cardboard cutout of Efron which she kisses from time to time.
Leyva was called to represent the U.S.in Rio after John Orozco suffered torn knee ligaments in training.
Verniaiev was the only gymnast to go above the magical 16 mark as he demonstrated composure and strength to become his nation’s first gold medallist at Rio 2016. Teammate Sam Mikulak narrowly missed out on the podium by finishing a close fourth in the high bar final. “I don’t think anybody is ready for it but Aly and Gabby (Douglas)”. A bronze medalist in Beijing and a silver medalist in London, Hambuechen’s score of 15.766 was clear of Leyva’s 15.500.
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“The reward is the medal, but if you don’t bring your best performance, she’s not satisfied”, said Aimee Boorman, Biles’ personal coach.
