Simone Biles has secured her fifth Olympic gold medal, anchoring the United States to a dominant victory in the women’s gymnastics team final at the Bercy Arena. The US team, comprising Biles, Sunisa Lee, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, and Hezly Rivera, posted a combined score of 171.296, finishing nearly six points ahead of Italy (165.494), who won their first artistic gymnastics medal in 96 years. Brazil earned the bronze with a score of 164.497, their first team medal in the event, narrowly edging out Great Britain by 0.234 points.
Simone Biles- Redemption and Historic Achievements
Three years after the Americans settled for silver in Tokyo following Biles’ withdrawal due to the “twisties,” the team restored their place atop the sport with a comprehensive performance. “I think we all had something to prove from Tokyo,” a jubilant Biles said. “And tonight we did just that.” This victory marked the USA’s third team gold in the last four Summer Games.
The Americans, the oldest team they have ever brought to an Olympics, celebrated in sequined red, white, and blue leotards. Biles, at 27, became the oldest American woman to make an Olympic gymnastics team since the 1950s and extended her record as the most decorated gymnast in history with her 38th career medal between the Olympics and world championships.
The Road to Victory
The US team got off to a flying start on the vault, where Chiles (14.000) and Carey (14.800) landed their attempts before Biles secured a high-scoring Cheng with a 14.900, helping the team to an early lead over China. On the uneven bars, despite it being Biles’ weakest discipline, she delivered one of her best routines, scoring 14.366. Lee led the team with a 14.566, increasing their lead over Italy.
On the balance beam, despite a fall from Chiles, Lee (14.600) and Biles (14.366) solidified their lead. The final event, the floor exercise, saw strong performances from Lee (13.533) and Chiles (13.966). Biles closed the show with a routine that, despite stepping out of bounds twice, earned her a 14.666, ensuring the US’s victory.
The team celebrated their win in front of an animated crowd that included celebrities like Nicole Kidman, Natalie Portman, Serena Williams, Michael Phelps, and Spike Lee. Biles’ husband, Jonathan Owens, also attended, having been granted leave from his NFL team’s training camp.
Looking Ahead
Biles will compete in the individual all-around final on Thursday, aiming to become the third woman to win the sport’s greatest prize twice. She also qualified first on vault and floor exercise, and second on balance beam, setting the stage for potentially adding five more medals to her collection.
At the US Olympic trials, Biles called this their “redemption tour,” and on Tuesday, they achieved complete atonement, reaffirming their dominance in women’s gymnastics.
