Even with the less-than-perfect conclusion, Biles has overall had a terrific performance in Paris. Her legacy was solidified by her wins in the vault final, the individual all-around competition, and the team event with Team USA. With these victories, Biles—who currently holds 11 Olympic medals, seven of which are gold—became the most decorated gymnast in American history. She also shattered the previous record for the oldest gymnast from the United States to win a gold medal, at 27 years old.
Upon reflecting on her achievements, Biles maintained her positive outlook. “I accomplished way more than my wildest dreams – not just at this Olympics, but in this sport,” Biles reportedly told reporters, according to CNN. I can’t be upset with my performances because of this. I’m not disappointed that I competed and took home four medals because two years ago, I never would have thought that I would be attending an Olympic Games again. I’m pretty happy with who I am.
Simone Biles represents the women’s artistic gymnastics team in the floor exercise at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Image courtesy of Jamie Squire and Getty.
Biles would have had the chance to tie a remarkable record if she had won both the floor and beam routines on Monday. The only two female athletes in history to win nine gold medals in the Olympics are Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina and American swimmer Katie Ledecky. Biles will now look for another opportunity to reach her objective during the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
The beam final proved difficult for many competitors, including Biles’s compatriot Sunisa Lee, who also faltered in her routine. After losing her footing and tumbling to the mat with the beam between her legs, Lee came in sixth, right behind Biles.
A great deal of strain existed. “It was just crazy to see everyone going down like that,” said Lee.There was a noticeable tension in the space. We were jeered by the crowd for our applause. That disturbed us since it felt disturbingly quiet there. It makes me pleased to hear my teammates cheer for me.
Biles also brought up the unusual atmosphere of the beam final, highlighting the audience’s somber and spooky silence. Gymnasts had previously requested background music for the beam finals, but their requests had been denied, according to her. “I’m not certain. I felt so odd and uneasy,” Biles said. We’ve requested music or background noise several times, so I’m not sure what happened there. True enough, it’s not our favorite. All of us didn’t like it.
Despite the challenges of the present, Biles is still one of the most well-known figures in gymnastics history, and her victories in Paris have added to her stature as a legendary athlete.
