Gymnastics: Biles Aiming for Her Second Gold Medal of the Paris Games in the All-Around Final
PARIS, Aug 1 (Reuters) — Simone Biles is set to compete for her sixth Olympic gold medal and her second of the Paris Olympics when she takes part in the women’s gymnastics all-around final on Thursday. Biles has described this Olympics as her “redemption tour,” following her withdrawal from the Tokyo Games.
The most decorated gymnast in history, Biles made a triumphant return to the Olympic stage on Sunday, finishing first in the all-around qualifying and also securing top spots for the floor exercise and vault finals.
At the 2016 Rio Games, Biles was a dominant force, and she remains a strong favorite for the all-around title in Paris. Her decision to withdraw from the Tokyo Games was driven by mental health concerns, including a condition known as the “twisties,” which affects spatial awareness during complex routines.
In her absence at the Tokyo Games, teammate Sunisa Lee won the gold medal in the all-around. Lee, who finished third in qualifications behind Biles and Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade, will face Biles as a major competitor in her defense of the gold medal.
Biles also led the U.S. team to victory in the women’s gymnastics team event on Tuesday, showcasing impressive performances across all four apparatus. Although she experienced calf pain during the qualifications, she appeared to manage it well during the team final at the Bercy Arena, where she competed with her left calf taped.
