Well, the suspense was palpable, and for a few intense moments during the women’s all-around gymnastics final in Paris’ Bercy Arena, it looked like the unthinkable might actually happen: Simone Biles, the unparalleled gymnast who has set new standards in the sport, found herself momentarily trailing. Yes, I said it, and I meant it: Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade was indeed within striking distance of Biles! But, as expected in a sport defined by its incredible twists and turns—literally and figuratively—the podium ended with Biles on top, solidifying her status as the most decorated American Olympic gymnast of all time.
With this gold medal, Biles at 27 also set another remarkable record: she became the oldest female gymnast to win an individual all-around gold since Maria Gorokhovskaya in 1952, who was 30 at the time. To put it in perspective, the skills that Biles is performing now, which once seemed groundbreaking, might soon look like playground tricks given the sport’s relentless evolution. But let’s be clear, Biles’ triumph is no fluke; elite gymnastics careers are lasting longer than ever, and 27 is only “old” if you’re measuring against a more cynical standard.
A Rollercoaster of a Meet
The competition started with Biles holding a comfortable lead. Andrade’s Cheng vault was nothing short of spectacular—arguably the best ever performed—but it couldn’t quite match the sheer difficulty of Biles’ Yurchenko double pike, also known as the Biles 2. This vault, with a difficulty rating of 6.4, is so daunting that Biles herself has admitted it scares her each time. Landing it with just a small step back, she had set the bar high. But then, as gymnastics often does, the meet took a dramatic turn.
Entering the second rotation, Biles was leading by more than half a point. However, things took a sharp turn when a rare mistake on the uneven bars saw her margin of error nearly evaporate. Her high-to-low-bar transition faltered, resulting in a tense save and a routine marked by bent knees and additional corrective skills. The result was a score of 13.733, significantly lower than her usual performance. Andrade seized this opportunity with a stellar bar routine, scoring 14.666, which pushed Biles into a precarious third place, with Algeria’s Kaylia Nemour temporarily seizing the lead with an impressive 15.533 on bars.
Meanwhile, the bronze medal race was just as gripping. Suni Lee, who wasn’t even supposed to compete due to a serious kidney diagnosis just a year ago, was neck-and-neck for bronze with Italy’s Alice D’Amato. Lee’s strong performances on vault and bars were remarkable, considering her recent health battles.
The Balance Beam and Final Rotation
As the competition progressed to the balance beam—arguably the most nerve-wracking event—I found a sense of relief when Biles aced her mount, which had been a recent challenge. Her routine included only minor deductions: a slight wobble after a side aerial and a dramatic save on her notoriously difficult wolf turn. At this point, it was clear that Biles had regained control.
Her performance on the beam ensured that she maintained her lead, especially as Andrade’s beam routine, while impressive, was not as difficult and scored 14.133 compared to Biles’ 14.566. Meanwhile, Lee’s performance on the beam wasn’t flawless, but she managed to stay competitive for a possible bronze.
The Floor Exercise and the Final Outcome
The floor exercise, Biles’ strongest event, was where she truly shone. Despite the nail-biting tension from earlier rotations, Biles’ floor routine was a masterclass in gymnastics. She had been consistently scoring above 14 in this event throughout the 2024 quadrennial, and this competition was no exception. Andrade, who had dazzled with her performances, could only watch as Biles performed with her signature precision and flair.
With Andrade’s floor routine not reaching the rumored new heights and Biles needing just a 13.868 to secure gold, the stage was set. As Biles executed her routine flawlessly, any lingering doubts about her status as the GOAT were obliterated. Her incredible floor performance, coupled with minor assists from D’Amato and Nemour, allowed Lee to climb back into the top positions. Lee’s routine was particularly noteworthy as it was her first international competition since Tokyo, and she delivered a performance that matched her best-ever floor routine.
Conclusion: A Historic Victory
The women’s all-around final in Paris was a testament to the thrilling unpredictability of gymnastics. Despite a few hiccups, Simone Biles once again demonstrated why she is considered the greatest gymnast of all time. Her victory, coupled with Lee’s inspiring comeback and Andrade’s brilliant performances, made for a competition that was as dramatic as it was historic. For Biles, this gold is not just another addition to her impressive list of achievements but a symbol of her enduring greatness in the sport.
