In an Olympic all-around final that kept fans on the edge of their seats, American gymnastics sensation Simone Biles narrowly triumphed over Brazil's Rebeca Andrade, according to AP reports. With a score of 59.131, Biles outpaced Andrade by just over a point, scoring 57.932 in one of her most nail-biting victories at a global competition to date. Meanwhile, Sunisa Lee of the United States clinched the bronze medal, a remarkable feat considering her battle with kidney diseases that cast doubt on her Olympic comeback.
At 27 years old, Biles has not only secured her place as a two-time Olympic champion—a rare achievement shared with legends Larisa Latynina and Vera Caslavska—but she has also become the oldest woman to win the premier gymnastics title since Maria Gorokhovskaya in 1952. However, this addition to her collection of six golds and nine total medals was hard-earned. A slight mishap on the uneven bars set her back momentarily, but she quickly regained composure, delivering a stellar performance on the balance beam that launched her back into the lead.
The competition's climax came during the floor exercise—Biles' stronghold—where she performed flawlessly to secure the gold medal. This victory holds particular significance for Biles, coming as it does three years after she withdrew from several finals in Tokyo prioritizing her mental health. Her celebration was heartfelt as she embraced teammate Sunisa Lee and acknowledged her supporters and cameras with joyous gestures.
As Biles advances to compete in three more event finals at these Games, this monumental all-around win cements her status not just as an unparalleled figure in gymnastics but also as one of America's greatest Olympians.
At 27 years old, Biles has not only secured her place as a two-time Olympic champion—a rare achievement shared with legends Larisa Latynina and Vera Caslavska—but she has also become the oldest woman to win the premier gymnastics title since Maria Gorokhovskaya in 1952. However, this addition to her collection of six golds and nine total medals was hard-earned. A slight mishap on the uneven bars set her back momentarily, but she quickly regained composure, delivering a stellar performance on the balance beam that launched her back into the lead.
Stop what you’re doing right NOW and watch Simone Biles on floor! 🐐 #ParisOlympics
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 1, 2024
📺 NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/yAKPJ9PVEh
The competition's climax came during the floor exercise—Biles' stronghold—where she performed flawlessly to secure the gold medal. This victory holds particular significance for Biles, coming as it does three years after she withdrew from several finals in Tokyo prioritizing her mental health. Her celebration was heartfelt as she embraced teammate Sunisa Lee and acknowledged her supporters and cameras with joyous gestures.
As Biles advances to compete in three more event finals at these Games, this monumental all-around win cements her status not just as an unparalleled figure in gymnastics but also as one of America's greatest Olympians.
