Simone Biles, alone on the floor, completes an incredible comeback

Paris
CNN
 — 

It was everything she could have ever hoped it would be.

Three years after pulling out of the team gymnastics final, Simone Biles was alone once more at the Olympics. But the vibes could not be more different.

The final performer of the night, Biles took to the floor to clinch the gold for Team USA. After years of trying to relive that night in Tokyo, the first notes of a Taylor Swift song rang through the Bercy Arena to start her routine.

Biles was ready for it.

Her typical magic combination of grace, power and speed made for an iconic moment that will live on in gymnastics and Olympics lore. She nailed everything she went for. Even when she slightly stumbled, there was no breaking her stride.

“I kind of knew as long as I landed on my feet on all passes, we were going to be good. So as soon as I stepped out of bounds, I was like, ‘Well, there’s a line… . I guess … it’s not that big of a deal,’” she said.

It was a performance for the ages under the brightest of lights for a performer who has faced more scrutiny than any normal human could bear to stand. But what the 4-foot-8-inch Biles lacks in height, she more than makes up for in heart and, after years of therapy and working on herself, mental toughness.

“At the beginning of the day, I started off with therapy this morning so that was super exciting. And then I told her I was feeling calm and ready,” Biles said of her preparations for Tuesday night. “And that’s kind of exactly what happened.”

But, in a sign of her normality amid abnormal performances, Biles said Tokyo was never far from her mind.

“After I finished vault, I was relieved. I was like, ‘Wooo, because please, no flashbacks or anything,’” she said. “But I did feel a lot of relief. And as soon as I landed vault, I was like, ‘Oh, yeah, I’m definitely (OK), we’re gonna do this.’”

Teammate Jordan Chiles jumped up and down in joy after that vault for the same reason.

“Yo, hallelujah, no flashbacks. No, nothing,” she said. “I was like, OK, like, all she needs to do is just do her normal. So me jumping up and down was just like a relief.”

From the moment she entered the Bercy Arena on Sunday to Tuesday’s medal ceremony, Biles was the most watched person in the City of Light. Her every step was looked at carefully – even more so after a moment during warmups for the floor in Sunday’s qualification when she aggravated a calf injury she first felt a couple weeks ago.

Biles limped and powered through the rest of that competition, qualifying for the all-around individual finals along with the individual balance beam, vault and floor competitions. It inspired a level of concern that sent onlookers spiraling into worries that Biles could possibly experience the woes of Tokyo once again.

But no matter.

dominated the field to win the gold.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”1619″ width=”2500″/>

advanced to the quarterfinals with a dramatic win over Belgium’s Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen on July 30. Murray and Evans won 6-3, 6-7, 11-9. Murray has said this tournament will be the last of his legendary career.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”3285″ width=”4926″ loading=’lazy’/>

stunning comeback to defeat Australia and win bronze in rugby sevens on July 30. It is the the United States’ first-ever Olympic medal in the sport — for either men or women.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”3054″ width=”4476″ loading=’lazy’/>

Vekić went on to win 7-6, 6-2.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”1333″ width=”2000″ loading=’lazy’/>

a near-perfect 9.90-scoring wave on Monday, July 29. It was the highest-scoring wave in Olympic history.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”1994″ width=”3000″ loading=’lazy’/>

some costly mistakes on the horizontal bar dropped it to second place. The United States won the bronze.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”3978″ width=”5671″ loading=’lazy’/>

Team USA won 102-76 in what was a rematch of the gold-medal game three years ago. The United States has won 56 consecutive Olympic games.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”4011″ width=”6016″ loading=’lazy’/>

to win the 200-meter freestyle on July 29. O’Callaghan finished in 1:53.27, topping Titmus’ Olympic record from three years ago. Titmus won the silver.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”3937″ width=”5906″ loading=’lazy’/>

winning her bronze-medal sabre bout on July 29. It’s her country’s first medal of the Paris Olympics.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”3513″ width=”5606″ loading=’lazy’/>

epic showdown, winning 6-1, 6-4.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”3314″ width=”5024″ loading=’lazy’/>

winning the street competition on July 29. Horigome also won the event at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”3422″ width=”5134″ loading=’lazy’/>

recorded the highest score in every round to win the gold medal.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”2347″ width=”3521″ loading=’lazy’/>

finish 1-2 in the 100-meter butterfly on July 28.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”2000″ width=”3000″ loading=’lazy’/>

They fought off five match points to win 2-6, 7-6, 11-9. Murray has said he will retire after the Games.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”1955″ width=”2590″ loading=’lazy’/>

the Americans’ 4-1 victory on July 28.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”2000″ width=”3000″ loading=’lazy’/>

Kiefer overwhelmed Scruggs 15-6 to win the event for the second straight Olympics.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”2000″ width=”3000″ loading=’lazy’/>

came back from a 5-2 deficit to win 6-5 in their soccer match on July 28.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”2000″ width=”3000″ loading=’lazy’/>

She landed awkwardly while warming up for her floor routine, but she fought through the pain to post an impressive all-around score.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”2000″ width=”3000″ loading=’lazy’/>

NBC’s commentary crew deemed him “Bob the Cap Catcher.” The lifeguard declined to release his name, a Paris 2024 spokesperson said, so that he could keep the focus on his duties.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”2000″ width=”3000″ loading=’lazy’/>

historic victory in its first-ever Olympic men’s game, winning 90-79.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”3364″ width=”5047″ loading=’lazy’/>

Other celebrities watching included Snoop Dogg and Ariana Grande.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”1668″ width=”2258″ loading=’lazy’/>

set an Olympic record with a time of 3:28:92.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”2000″ width=”3000″ loading=’lazy’/>

taking place in Tahiti, far away from Paris.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”1897″ width=”3000″ loading=’lazy’/>

The dream pairing beat Argentina’s Máximo González and Andrés Molteni 7-6, 6-4.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”2024″ width=”3000″ loading=’lazy’/>

the United States’ first gold medal of the Paris Olympics. The result also continued Dressel’s streak of winning gold in every Olympic race in which he’s competed. He won five gold medals in Tokyo.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”2000″ width=”3000″ loading=’lazy’/>

winning the 400-meter freestyle on July 27.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”2000″ width=”3000″ loading=’lazy’/>

its first gold medal of these Games.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”2000″ width=”3000″ loading=’lazy’/>

France won 78-66.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”5232″ width=”7847″ loading=’lazy’/>

set a new Olympic record in the 100-meter butterfly during a semifinal race on July 27. She finished in 55.38 seconds.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”1889″ width=”3000″ loading=’lazy’/>

They won the first gold medal of the Paris Olympics.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”2007″ width=”3000″ loading=’lazy’/>

the United States’ first medal of this year’s Games. The gold went to China’s Chang Yani and Chen Yiwen.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”1961″ width=”2943″ loading=’lazy’/>

Olympic cauldron rise in a hot-air balloon after they lit it at the end of the opening ceremony in Paris on Friday, July 26. The first hot-air balloon flight was performed in France in 1783.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”4996″ width=”7126″ loading=’lazy’/>

 performs Edith Piaf’s “Hymne À L’Amour,” one of the French singer’s most well-known songs, on the Eiffel Tower at the end of the opening ceremony. It was her first performance since her diagnosis with stiff person syndrome.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”1259″ width=”2216″ loading=’lazy’/>

depicted scenes from the French Revolution. Here, smoke billows near windows at the Conciergerie, the site where Marie Antoinette, the last French queen prior to the revolution, was imprisoned.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”4203″ width=”6305″ loading=’lazy’/>

the bells of Notre Dame rang for the first time since the iconic cathedral was gutted by fire in 2019. It is 90% restored.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”5123″ width=”7686″ loading=’lazy’/>

France’s high-speed train lines were targeted by several “malicious” acts, including arson, in what has been described as “coordinated sabotage” to disrupt travel ahead of the Games.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”4000″ width=”6000″ loading=’lazy’/>

Simone Biles trains on Thursday, July 25. Biles is looking to regain the individual all-around title she won in the 2016 Olympics.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”2170″ width=”3281″ loading=’lazy’/>

She shot a world and Olympic record 694 in the individual ranking round.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”2000″ width=”3000″ loading=’lazy’/>

is hosting the Olympic surfing competition.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”2000″ width=”3000″/>

The best photos of the Paris Olympics

Biles showed absolutely no sign of that calf injury throughout Tuesday’s team final. Whether it was adrenaline or the pain had truly melted away in the Parisian heat, Biles – at age 27, the oldest American to ever win an Olympic gymnastics medal and now the most decorated American gymnast ever in the Games – turned back the years and made it feel like 2016 again.

But unlike that exquisite performance in Rio de Janeiro, Biles knew what this meant. She knew what she had to go through to get here. It was written all over her face in the final moments as she waited for her score.

Gripping the floor apparatus, staring up at the Bercy Arena’s big screen, Biles had to have known she’d done enough to win the gold. But when the score popped up – 14.666, more than enough to clinch the gold – she exploded, elation released.

First, it was a jumping hug with her teammates before posing with Old Glory on the floor that she had just dominated. Then it was a light jog around that same floor with her teammates to soak in the chants of “U-S-A! U-S-A!” that rained down on them.

And as the “Star-Spangled Banner” played during the medal ceremony, with gold once again around her neck, Biles had to have felt like she just climbed one of the biggest mountains in sports.

“Now that I’m much older and we have so much more experience, we’re out here really having fun and enjoying what we’re doing. So I think it’s just different,” Biles said afterward.

Yet she’s not done; the individual all-around – which she won in 2016 and decided not to compete in three years ago – comes on Thursday, the vault on Friday and the beam and floor exercises on Monday.

But for at least the next couple of days, Biles can look at the gold medal draped around her neck and know that she had just cemented her place in gymnastics – and Olympics – history.