Simone Biles Triumph and Legacy in Paris
On Thursday, Simone Biles captured her sixth Olympic gold medal and her second of the Paris 2024 Games, triumphing in the women’s all-around final. The 27-year-old, who first won this title in Rio 2016, became only the third woman to earn the prestigious title more than once, joining Larisa Latynina and Vera Caslavska.
Biles led the field with 59.131 points, nearly two points ahead of Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade, who claimed silver. Suni Lee, Biles’s US teammate and the defending Olympic all-around champion, took bronze despite recent health challenges.
Expressing her astonishment, Biles, now the oldest women’s all-around Olympic champion since 1952, said, “I just couldn’t believe that I did it. I’m just ecstatic with my performances tonight.”
Her sixth Olympic gold marked Biles’s 39th career medal across the Olympics and World Championships, extending her record as the most decorated gymnast in history. She has dominated every all-around competition since winning her first national title in 2013.
The all-around final was a testament to Biles’s incredible resilience and skill. She began with a strong performance on the vault, executing a sky-high Yurchenko double pike, earning 15.766 points. On the uneven bars, traditionally her weakest event, she made a significant error but managed to stay in the competition.
Biles’s beam routine was spectacular, showcasing her extraordinary difficulty and precision, earning her 14.566 points. This set the stage for her final event: the floor exercise. With thousands of Swarovski crystals on her leotard glimmering under the lights, she delivered an immaculate routine, drawing roars from the crowd.
Biles celebrated her victory in front of an enthusiastic audience, including basketball stars Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant. The narrow win margin highlighted the intense competition but ultimately reaffirmed her status as the greatest gymnast of all time.
Reflecting on her journey, Biles credited her perseverance and the support of her team and family. “I’ve put in so many numbers [of routines] on the bars so it was an unfortunate mistake, but I knew to just keep pushing and to not give up,” she said. “And that’s exactly what you saw out there. I think Rebeca pushes me to be my best as well. She’s a phenomenal athlete and gymnast. So I’m excited that she was there to push me.”
In the end, Biles’s remarkable performance in Paris not only added to her legacy but also inspired countless fans worldwide, proving once again why she is the greatest gymnast of all time.
