I feel like it needs to be said: Simone Biles’ career didn’t need redeeming. She could have never stepped foot on a mat again after Tokyo and still gone down as the GOAT, regardless of her having to stand aside during those 2021 Olympics.
So I’m bristling slightly at the use of the word redemption to talk about what’s happening with her in Paris this week (though, yes, the team itself has used the term fairly liberally). I’m thinking of it more as reclamation — of Biles’ place atop the podium and of her own narrative.
In that context, it was particularly moving to see the Americans so thoroughly dominate the team final yesterday, reclaiming the gold they missed out on three years ago. It's the team's third all-around win in the past four Olympics, also following its win and Biles' individual win at the 2023 worlds.
Even with some wobbles, Team USA didn’t even open the door for any other team to win. Biles didn’t need her highest-difficulty vault (she’s likely saving it for the event final) and stepped out of bounds a couple times on floor, and Jordan Chiles fell off the beam. But the difference this time around was palpable. they smiled and celebrated through it all, their story now one of “uncomplicated joy,” as Dana O’Neil writes.
The final scores from the total blowout:
United States: 171.296 Italy: 165.494 Brazil: 164.497 Biles, now the most-decorated U.S. Olympic gymnast in history, and defending gold medalist Suni Lee will be back in action tomorrow for the individual all-around final. 🍿
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