For the second time in Olympic history, two USA women topped the all-around podium. “I’m just Simone Biles, but it’s awesome to be recognized for all of this success for myself and for Team USA”. “Those really stand out from my 50 years of coaching”.
Advertisement
Since making her debut at the 2013 world championships, the 19-year-old Biles has become an unstoppable force. She is the GOAT. Biles finished the night with a huge lead of more than two points over the silver medalist, her teammate Aly Raisman. Given that she’s the reigning world champ on floor and beam and upgraded vault after winning bronze at last year’s worlds, she could leave Rio with more gold than some royal families.
“A lot of people said she won’t be the greatest until she wins the Olympic all-around”, Boorman said. “So”.
The 22-year-old from MA, captain of the United States women’s gymnastics team for the second consecutive Olympics, had just nailed the most important 90 seconds of her career. “I just do my gymnastics”, she said after collecting her second Olympic gold in three days.
“Every emotion hit me at once so I was just kind of a train wreck”, she said.
The gold medal hanging around her neck says it all.
Apart from a hop on the landing of her opening vault she gave a confident display of gravity-defying tumbles, twists and flips on her maiden Games to win by 2.100 points over United States teammate Aly Raisman.
“You’ve done so many floor routines since San Jose”, Biles said Thursday, “so that whenever it comes down to it, you just have to go out there and have fun”. Russia’s Aliya Mustafina took bronze with 58.665 points.
“It doesn’t even feel real”, Biles said. I’m relieved that it’s over but very proud.
“Before that, she was just a kid who worked out 20 hours a week and played in the gym and hung out with her friends”, Boorman said.
Her American teammate Aly Raisman launched a comeback of her own after the second rotation, when she was in fourth place. Biles earned the first one on Tuesday while serving as the exclamation point to retiring national team coordinator Martha Karolyi’s going away party.
After not crying at the team competition, Biles and Raisman ruined their makeup Thursday with tears of joy. “I’m more happy for her than I am myself”.
“Because I knew I had finally done it”, Biles explained.
“I think so”, Boorman said.
“Is this redemption?” a reporter asked. It was meant as a joke.
“Everything she did was ugly”, Boorman said.
Biles was not considered one of the great American prospects. Other gymnasts have to hope she falls or is sloppy. Later when she was asked how coming in second affected her psyche, Simone said, “Nothing”. “I didn’t know the reason until now”.
If she leaves it for others to decide, Biles wins in a landside. “I like it because it is very important when there is a team in gymnastics that you have to follow, that you can learn from”. “It never gets old watching her, she’s incredible”.
Advertisement
She led after the first event, the vault.
