Simone Biles Bravery, steel, and magnificence.
These best describe the American women’s gymnastics team’s performance in the Olympic qualifying round held in Paris in 2024.
Despite several moments of doubt and uncertainty, the United States, led by two Olympic all-around champions—a first in history—sprang to the top of the standings after section two, leading Italy by more than six points.
Simone Biles, the seven-time Olympic winner who won the gold in Rio’s all-around competition, began her return to the Games with a fantastic beam routine (14.733). However, it seemed like Biles hurt her lower leg in the floor exercise that warmed her up before the second rotation. Biles returned to compete after being evaluated by medical experts, opting to utilise her left leg.
Biles won the all-around final with the highest score ever recorded by a gymnast in an international competition this Olympic cycle (59.566). Biles also took first place on the floor (14.600) and vault (15.300). Biles is now rated second on the beam (14.733) and eighth on uneven bars (14.433).
After the competition, Biles’ coach Cecile Landi said that she “felt a little something in her calf,” but she had no plans to withdraw. According to Landi, Biles began to feel better as the meeting went on. There are now no concerns about her ability to compete for the remainder of the Games.
Despite her struggles, Simone Biles had the backing of her teammates.
In order to secure her spot in the all-around final and the chance to defend her title, Suni Lee, the current Olympic all-around champion, performed the routine of her life on uneven bars. She started the beam competition nervously, making many balance errors. With a score of 56.132, Lee trails Biles by only 0.067 points from Jordan Chiles, who is in second position. Lee is currently ranked third on uneven bars (14.866) and beam (14.033). Chiles trails Biles (13.866) in the floor.
With a score of only 10.633, Tokyo Olympics floor champion Jade Carey will not be allowed to defend her title. Carey committed a lot of odd mistakes throughout her performance, including seeming to lose her balance while doing her double tuck. She also only executed one tuck, slipping out of bounds and onto her back. Carey made a comeback and finished second on the vault, barely behind Biles’ 15.300 average.
At sixteen years old, Hezly Rivera is the youngest American participant in Paris. She received scores of 12.633 on the beam and 13.900 on the uneven bars.
During the first rotation, Kaylia Nemour, a French-born athlete representing Algeria, her father’s home country, performed one of the toughest routines ever attempted on uneven bars (7.1 D-score). Nemour, who placed second in the event at the 2023 World Championships, is a strong contender for the gold medal in solo competition. Nemour presently leads the field on uneven bars (15.600) and is third overall (55.966).
Qiu Qiyuan, a Chinese competitor, is rated second in the event with a score of 15.066, potentially becoming Nemour’s biggest opponent.
The field for the team, all-around, and individual event finals will be determined after the conclusion of the fifth subdivision.