Looking Back at Simone Biles First Olympic Experience As She Prepared for Her Third

Published 02/20/2024, 12:30 AM HKT

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Spectators were in awe of the teenage gymnastics star Simone Biles‘ incredible debut at the 2016 Rio Olympics. As the American team, dominated by Biles, won the artistic gymnastics competition, the excitement in the arena was overwhelming. Ten years since entering the elite gymnastics event in 2013, Simone Biles, now regarded as the most decorated gymnast of all time, is getting ready for her third Olympic appearance in Paris.

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Biles has increased her overall haul of World Championship medals to three since her debut in Rio! As she prepares for the upcoming Olympics, it’s about time we look back on the incredible journey taken by the teen prodigy on her first big-stage performance.

Highlights of Simone Biles’ first visit to the Games

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With four gold medals and one bronze, Simone Biles swept the 2016 Rio Olympics and etched her mark in gymnastics history. The Texan was an important part of the US team, helped win the gold medal in the team all-around competition, and dominated the tournament with a commanding lead over China and Russia. Following a great start, Biles stormed the Olympics, winning her second medal on August 11 with a score of 62.198. Her teammate and captain, Aly Raisman, took home the silver medal.

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Three days later, with an astounding score of 15.966 in the vault, the little force won her third gold in the vault. Her move, the “Biles,” which is a double layout with a half-twist and a blind landing, was displayed as she added a fun touch with a samba vibe. With an impressive performance, Biles and the US team topped the standings and were unbeaten throughout the competition.

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With her record-tying four titles at the same Games, 4 feet 9 inches tall Biles made history. Sharing the feat with only four gymnastics icons-Larissa Latynina, Agnes Keleti, Vera Caslavska, and Ekaterina Szabo.

On August 15, Biles executed a balance beam routine and lost her balance, handing the gold to the Dutch gymnast Sanne Wevers, taking home her bronze. Later, in her Facebook Watch documentary series “Simone vs. Herself,” Biles talked about her incredible Olympic journey, shedding light on her constantly overlooked bronze.

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The return of the gymnastics queen

Simone Biles is often called “the GOAT” after earning seven Olympic medals to her impressive collection since her victorious debut. Her career has not, however, been without difficulties; at the Tokyo Summer Games, she faced the “twisties.” Biles is now preparing for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, where she will compete under new standards. While her exclusion from the Women’s Winter Cup entrance list raises questions, her comeback in 2023—which included a ground-breaking Yurchenko double pike vault—is her fifth named move.

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Simone Biles is on the cusp of history, ready to carry on her reputation as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time, as the countdown to the 2024 Paris Olympics intensifies. Now, the next chapter in Simone Biles’ incredible career is something the gymnastics community is anxiously anticipating.

Watch This Story With Apprehension for Paris Olympics in Air, Simone Biles Takes Her Next Steps After an Unreal Comeback

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Written by:

Divya Purohit

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Divya Purohit is a senior Olympics Sports writer for EssentiallySports. She majorly covers gymnastics, alpine skiing, and horse racing. While bringing the detailed stats of gymnastics to the American readers, she covered two prominent events - the 2023 Xfinity Gymnastics Championships, and the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships.
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Edited by:

Riya Singhal

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