By: Kingsley Wong
On Thursday night, Simone Biles solidified her status as the world’s most dominant gymnast by narrowly defeating Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade in the all-around final at the 2024 Paris Olympics, becoming the oldest all-around Olympic champion since 1952.
At 27, Biles is only the third woman ever in the Olympics to win multiple all-around gold medals and the first to claim titles eight years apart. Andrade secured the silver medal, while Suni Lee earned bronze.
Biles, who has remained undefeated in all-around competitions for over a decade, faced a challenge after a major mistake on the uneven bars placed her in third position midway through the event, behind Andrade and Kaylia Nemour of Algeria. However, she rebounded with a strong routine on the balance beam, the sport’s most difficult apparatus, and concluded with an outstanding performance on the floor exercise to secure her victory.
“I was feeling uncomfortable because of how close I was to Andrade,” Biles said. “I was stressing, but I knew that if I performed well, everything would turn out fine.”
Thursday’s win secured Biles her second Olympic gold of these Games, following the U.S. women’s team’s gold in the team final on Tuesday. It also marked her ninth Olympic medal, the most ever achieved by an American gymnast. Biles has the opportunity to add three more gold medals to her legacy, as she is set to compete in the apparatus finals for balance beam, floor exercise, and vault in the coming days.
Biles, who has also amassed 30 medals at world championships, described her Paris performance as a form of redemption following her challenging experience at the 2021 Tokyo Games. During the Tokyo Games, she withdrew from the team final due to the “twisties,” a condition that affected her spatial awareness during twisting elements, and subsequently took a two-year hiatus from competitive gymnastics.
Since her return last year, Biles has demonstrated a strong return, winning the all-around world title and introducing new skills like her renowned Yurchenko double pike vault, which played a key role in her gold medal win Thursday.
Reflecting on her success, Biles remarked, “It is crazy I am in the conversation of the greatest of all time,” adding, “I just think I’m still Simone Biles from Spring, Texas, who loves to flip.”
Simone Biles’ remarkable performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics further cements her status as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time. Her ability to overcome adversity and deliver exceptional routines under pressure continues to captivate audiences and elevate the sport. With her innovative skills and unparalleled consistency, Biles not only wows spectators but also inspires aspiring gymnasts around the world. Her achievements, including becoming the oldest all-around Olympic champion and amassing nine Olympic medals, reflect her profound impact on gymnastics. Biles’ enduring passion and exceptional talent ensure that her legacy will inspire future generations of athletes.