She did anything to take the weight off a lower left leg injury that she appeared to sustain at the end of a tumbling sequence during floor exercise practice. She had her ankle area taped and the mood turned somber.
It didn’t look good for the gymnastics star, returning to the Olympics after a 2021 Games in which she experienced mental health issues and a battle with disorientation in the air.
But when it came time to resume competition in the qualifying after a solid balance beam routine, the 2016 all-around gold medalist shined.
She finished first in the all-around in her qualifying group with 59.566 points, 3.434 ahead of teammate Suni Lee, the defending Olympic all-around champion who was second. Jordan Chiles came in third. As of this writing, Biles and Lee are assured of a spot in the all-around final, pitting two Olympic champs against each other for the first time, The Athletic reported.
Biles, considered perhaps the greatest gymnast of all time, showed her heart and grit to get there.
U.S. gymnastics coach Cecile Landi did not specifically describe Biles’ leg issue but she did turn up the praise.
“I can’t express it,” Landi said, per Associated Press. “I’m really proud of her and what she’s been through and what she’s showing the world what she’s capable of doing.”
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