Simone Biles continued her triumphant return to Olympic competition at the Paris 2024 Games, leading the US women’s artistic gymnastics team to a first-place finish in qualifications with a score of 172.296 points. Despite tweaking her left ankle during warm-ups, Biles impressed with a top score of 59.566 in the all-around competition, more than three points ahead of her nearest challenger.Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade emerged as a strong contender, finishing second in the individual all-around behind Biles. Andrade qualified for five out of six possible finals, including vault, uneven bars, floor exercise, and the team final. Her performance helped the Brazilian team secure fourth place in the team competition with a total score of 166.499.The qualifying round attracted a star-studded audience, including celebrities such as Tom Cruise, Lady Gaga, and Snoop Dogg. Biles’ coach, Cecile Landi, expressed no concerns about her continuing to compete in Paris, despite the minor injury.Other notable performances included Colombian gymnast Luisa Blanco, who made her Olympic debut and secured the last spot (24th) in the all-around final. Meanwhile, Mexican gymnast Alexa Moreno faced disappointment after a fall on the balance beam, which prevented her from qualifying for the all-around final.The women’s team final is scheduled for July 30th, with individual apparatus finals to follow. As the competition progresses, all eyes will be on Biles and Andrade as they vie for gold in multiple events.
Key points
- Simone Biles led the US team to first place in qualifications despite an ankle injury.
- Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade qualified for five finals and finished second in the all-around.
- The Brazilian team secured fourth place in the team competition.
- Colombian Luisa Blanco and Mexican Alexa Moreno made their Olympic debuts with varying success.
Contradictions👾While most sources report Biles having an ankle issue, one source mentions it as a calf injury.
This discrepancy might be due to different interpretations or reports of the same injury.