Simone Biles led the United States to a dominant victory in the women’s gymnastics team final on Tuesday, laying the ghost of Tokyo to rest as she claimed a fifth career Olympic gold medal.
The American gymnastics team secured another historic victory, clinching the gold medal in a dramatic display at the Bercy Arena. The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly Simone Biles, whose electrifying floor routine left the crowd in awe.u
Biles, often hailed as the greatest gymnast of all time, showcased her remarkable skills, including two of her signature moves: the double back flip with a half twist and the jaw-dropping “triple-double,” which consists of two back flips with three twists. Her performance not only solidified her status as a legend of the sport but also contributed significantly to the United States’ dominant performance.
The American team finished with the highest score across all four apparatus, amassing a total of 171.296 points. This remarkable achievement put them 5.802 points ahead of their closest competitors, Italy. For the Italian team,
The silver medal marked a significant milestone, as it was their first Olympic team medal since 1928, when they also won silver. In the modern era, their best result had been a fourth-place finish in Tokyo, making this achievement all the more special for the Italian squad.
Brazil also made history by capturing the bronze medal, their first-ever Olympic team medal in gymnastics. The Brazilian team, led by Tokyo vault gold medalist Rebeca Andrade, delivered a strong performance that secured their place on the podium. For both Italy and Brazil, this moment represented a major breakthrough on the Olympic stage, highlighting the increasing competitiveness of women’s gymnastics worldwide.
For the United States, this victory was particularly meaningful. It marked their third team gold medal in the last four Olympic Games, with previous victories in 2012 and 2016. The triumph was especially sweet for a quartet of gymnasts who had all experienced the highs and lows of the Tokyo Games.
Simone Biles, who took a two-year break from competition to focus on her mental health, made a triumphant return to the Olympic summit. Sunisa Lee, the all-around champion from Tokyo, also made a remarkable comeback after battling two career-threatening kidney ailments. Their resilience and determination were evident as they led the U.S. team to victory.
The atmosphere in the Bercy Arena was electric, with fans on their feet and the energy palpable even before the competition began. The American team, led by Biles, was greeted with thunderous applause as they were introduced. Biles, ever the showman, beamed and blew kisses to the crowd, setting the tone for the evening.
Her presence on the vault podium was met with excitement, even though she opted not to perform her most challenging vault, the double Yurchenko “Biles II.” Instead, she executed a less difficult Cheng vault with precision, helping the U.S. to emerge from the first rotation with a solid lead of 1.434 points over China. China’s excellent opening on the uneven bars, which included a standout routine from Zhang Yihan, kept them in the mix, but it was clear that the night belonged to the Americans.
The event attracted a star-studded audience, underscoring the global appeal of Biles and the sport of gymnastics. Tennis legend Serena Williams, Hollywood actress Nicole Kidman, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, and Microsoft founder Bill Gates were all in attendance, adding to the prestige of the occasion. Biles’s husband, NFL player Jonathan Owens, was also there to support her, proudly wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with his wife’s name and picture. His presence, along with the other celebrities, added a touch of glamour to the already thrilling event.
As the competition progressed, the American team continued to build on their lead, demonstrating their superiority across all apparatus. By the time the final scores were announced, there was little doubt that the gold medal was theirs.
The team’s victory was not just a testament to their skill and preparation but also to their resilience and ability to perform under pressure. For Biles, Lee, and the rest of the team, this victory was a vindication of their hard work and a reminder of why they are considered the best in the world.
The United States’ gymnastics team’s gold medal win at the Bercy Arena will be remembered as one of the highlights of the Olympic Games. It was a night where the world’s greatest gymnasts once again proved their dominance, leaving an indelible mark on the sport and inspiring the next generation of athletes. For Simone Biles, it was another chapter in her extraordinary career, a return to the pinnacle of her sport, and a celebration of her enduring legacy.
