After her stunning comeback on July 28, despite an injury scare, Simone Biles and Team USA clinched gold in the women’s gymnastics team final at Bercy Arena on July 30, 2024. Notably, Biles, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, and Sunisa Lee delivered an unforgettable performance. Consequently, this gold medal marked Team USA’s first at the Paris Olympics 2024. For Biles, this win was a powerful and emotional return after she had to withdraw from the 2020 Games due to a mental block.
The Golden Performance
Biles and Chiles competed in the uneven bars, vault, balance beam, and floor exercise. Meanwhile, Lee participated in every event except the vault, which Carey handled alone. The only Team USA member not competing was 16-year-old Hezly Rivera. Despite this, Rivera, making her Olympic debut, still received a gold medal with her teammates.
Team USA impressed the audience with their performances on the vault, uneven bars, and beam. Next, they showcased their highly anticipated floor routines. Biles and the American veterans led the final rotation.
Biles concluded with an incredible floor routine, earning a standing ovation. This was the most awaited performance, and she delivered. Her routine featured signature moves like a double layout with a half-twist and a triple-double.
As a result, Team USA secured victory before Biles’ final score was announced. She blew a kiss to the cheering crowd as they chanted, “USA!”
Simone Biles and Team USA Dazzle Before Finals
Before winning the gold, Simone Biles and Team USA dazzled with top scores in the qualifiers. They then faced seven other outstanding teams in the final: Italy, China, Brazil, Japan, Canada, Britain, and Romania. In the finals, three gymnasts from each team competed in every category.
Meanwhile, Biles made a thrilling return in the qualifiers last weekend, dominating despite a painful calf injury. Women’s gymnastics coach Cecille Landi, a former French Olympian, revealed that Biles had injured her calf weeks earlier and was on the road to recovery.
Historic Scores
Simone Biles and Team USA won gold with a stunning score of 172.296 in Sunday’s qualification session, thus leading the final with flair. Moreover, Biles shone as the top individual scorer among all teams, creating a buzz of excitement.
In contrast, Italy secured second place with 165.494 points, falling just behind Team USA. This achievement marked Italy’s first Olympic medal in women’s gymnastics in nearly a century, making it a historic moment for them. Meanwhile, Brazil captured bronze, finishing just shy of Italy, and celebrated their first-ever medal in women’s gymnastics.
From Injury To Victory
Biles, celebrated as the Greatest of All Time (G.O.A.T.) in gymnastics, is now competing in her third Olympics. This is her first Games since battling the “twisties,” which caused her to lose direction and withdraw from Tokyo events, in the Olympic Games 2020. With Tuesday’s victory, Biles becomes the most decorated American Olympic gymnast, surpassing Shannon Miller’s seven medals. Consequently, this team’s gold brings her total to eight Olympic medals. Moreover, she ties with 1904 Olympian Anton Heida for the most gold medals earned by an American gymnast.
