2024-07-27 20:35:02
Simone Biles is poised to make a stunning comeback during the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. The gymnastics superstar is a favorite to dominate the gymnastics finals, including the all-around, vault and floor events.
Biles is making her third Olympic appearance after the “twisties,” a phenomenon where gymnasts lose their place in the air, forced her to drop out of multiple events during the Tokyo Olympics. Biles earned one bronze medal that year, and has seven total Olympic medals.
Since then, Biles has set multiple records, taking home her sixth world all-around title in 2023. She’s the most decorated gymnast in history, having earned 37 medals across the world championships and the Olympics and nine all-around national titles. Biles also has five moves named after her.
While Biles has already made her mark on the gymnastics world, it’s possible she could break even more records during the Paris Olympics. Here’s what to know.
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What records could Simone Biles break in Paris?
In Paris, Biles could break the record for the most Olympic gold medals earned by an American gymnast. The current record holder is Anton Heida, with five gold medals. Biles, who has four golds, would need to win two gold medals to beat that.
However, Biles needs just one medal to surpass Shannon Miller to become the most decorated American Olympic gymnast. Miller and Biles each have seven Olympic medals of any color.
The 27-year-old could also set a record as the oldest female American gymnast to win an Olympic gold medal in gymnastics. That record is currently held by Aly Raisman, who won two gold medals in 2016 when she was 22 years old.
Biles might also set a record outside the gymnastics world. If she takes home a whopping five gold medals in Paris, she can break the record for most gold medals taken home by any female American athlete. Swimmer and eight-time gold medal winner Jenny Thompson currently holds the record.
What can viewers expect from Simone Biles during the Paris Olympics?
Biles commanded the Olympic trials last month and appears ready to take home the gold. Taylor Swift cheered on Biles’ floor routine, which was set to the pop star’s “…Ready For It?” Biles’ score for the routine was 117.225, cruising her to the only automatic spot on Team USA.
In a podium training session at the Bercy Arena in Paris, Biles was seen landing a complex vault known as the “Biles II.” The move, formerly known as the Yurchenko double pike, is extremely difficult and requires a round-off entry onto the springboard, a back handspring onto the vaulting table and two flips with straight legs.
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She could even have a sixth move named for her during the competition. She submitted an original skill on uneven bars, supposedly her “weakest” event, to the International Gymnastics Federation on Friday. If she performs the skill without major fault during the Games, it’ll be named for her.
What’s next for Simone Biles?
When the Paris Olympics are over, Biles will venture out on a post-Olympic tour with other top gymnasts.
The star, who recently wed football safety Jonathan Owens, has not said where she will take her world-renowned athleticism beyond that.
