Forget the hype. Simone Biles is immune to all of it. And then after a solid vault and decent set on bars, it was time, once again, to face the beam. Past year she became the first woman to win a “three-peat” of all-around golds at the worlds.
Advertisement
After Biles’ incredible performance to take the all-around gold medal in women’s gymnastics Thursday, she reflected on her legacy.
Biles’ triumph made her the fourth successive American to win the title – following the successes of Carly Patterson, Nastia Liukin and Gabby Douglas – which is the longest winning streak by a country in the Olympic discipline.
Was there pressure to prove she was the greatest female gymnast in history? I walked into Aly’s room and said “I have a very good feeling about today”. Gymnastics chose me. I’ve loved it every since.
When a blind landing isn’t the hardest part of your performance, you know you are destined for greatness. “Her leaps are usually better in her practice routines than in competition”. I had to focus.
Biles has a remarkable record since her debut at the 2013 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Antwerp.
Following their wins, Aly said, “It was very emotional because we finally did it. I was so proud”.
Harrison has spoken out about sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of a former coach, which began when she was 13 and lasted for three years, taking place at times when they traveled to judo competitions. After Biles’s final floor exercise routine Thursday, the only question remaining was by how much she would defeat US teammate Aly Raisman for gold. “I’m the first Simone Biles”. “I just want her to love life”.
Biles is already the face of Olympic gymnastics, and she could stay that way for years to come.
Home favourite Jade Barbosa of Brazil had to bow out of the competition after hurting her foot during her floor routine. Thursday, two days after she led the US team to a gold medal as a group, Biles went “wow” solo.
American swimmer Missy Franklin gets ready for her semifinal heat in the 200-meter backstroke on Thursday. She opened with a 15.866 on the vault and closed with a near flawless floor routine. It’s not a coincidence. But the relationship between Biles and Boorman, who has coached her since age six, is not explored as often.
Biles packs so much difficulty into her routines that she starts with a point or two cushion.
Though Mustafina took a small lead through two rotations, it was a mirage. Biles had the balance beam and floor exercise ahead.
Biles had a strong 15.433 score on the balance beam, moving past Mustafina, who scored a more than a point and half lower.
“I’m not a celebrity”.
After winning yesterday, she said: “I feel like I did my job tonight” and she certainly did, in more ways than one. For Biles, however, the journey towards this particular gold medal was a bit rough. She’s the nervous one, and says Biles’ jokes keep her calm, as they did when she went into floor in third behind Russia’s Aliya Mustafina.
Adilson da Silva put golf back into the Olympics for the first time in 112 years when the lone Brazilian in the field sent his tee shot right down the middle of the fairway. “Because a lot of people said, ‘She won’t be the greatest until she wins the Olympic all-around.’ So. mic drop”.
Biles and Raisman completed a one-two finish for the second time for the US after Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson won gold and silver respectively in 2008.
Advertisement
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
