Simone Biles’ hopes of securing a fourth Olympic gold medal at the Paris Games were put on hold after the U.S. superstar took a fall in the Balance Beam event.
The 27-year-old took victories in the Team event, All-Around, and the Vault last week, adding three golds to her already four heading into Paris. Jitters were evident inside the Porte de la Chapelle Arena with the first five on the beam suffering falls, including U.S. teammate Sunisa Lee, who hit the floor hard and only managed a 13.100.
Biles went second last, ahead of her main rival, Brazilian Rebeca Andrade, and wasn’t able to stay on the beam during a series of backward summersaults, earning a score of 13.100, identical to that of her teammate, placing fifth.
Andrade didn’t manage to take gold with a routine that only managed fourth, as Italy got two on the podium, with Alice D’Amato taking gold, Zhou Yaqin of China in second, and 17-year-old Manila Esposito for Bronze.
Biles’ hopes of another gold medal rest on the Floor later on Monday as she searches for a fourth gold medal at the 2024 Olympics. She’s never lost a major international competition in Floor and took gold in Rio de Janeiro eight years ago.
Biles was quick to exit the arena to begin preparations for her final event of Paris. The American was visibly unhappy with something after her routine, believed to be the atmosphere.
Four wins from five would sign off on Biles’ epic comeback after pulling out of the Tokyo Games three years ago. Following her withdrawal, Biles wasn’t sure she’d ever compete in gymnastics again.
She’ll now face calls to continue Olympic competition heading into 2028, with the Games on home soil in Los Angeles. Biles will be in her 30s, though, and it’s unclear whether she’ll continue competing at the Olympic level after Paris.
“Three years ago, I never thought I’d step foot on the gymnastics floor again just because of everything that had happened,” she told reporters at a press conference after winning the individual all-around medal last week.
“But with the help of [my coach] Cecile [Landi], I got back in the gym and worked really hard mentally and physically. Even this morning at 7:00 a.m., I saw my therapist. And there’s a time change, so she is so amazing for allowing me to do that these couple of days here in Paris.”
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