Gracious, petty and brilliant – Biles is arguably bigger than the US Olympic movement | Simone Biles

Eight years ago at the Rio Olympics, Simone Biles transitioned from a gymnastics star to a global icon with her remarkable achievement of four gold medals in seven days. The prevailing sentiment at that time was that her routines were so extraordinarily challenging that even with a few falls, she could still secure victory. For years, Biles was in a league of her own, showcasing skills and routines so advanced that an entire new generation of gymnasts would find it hard to keep up.

This Monday afternoon, one of her fiercest competitors, Rebeca Andrade from Brazil, finally managed to narrow the gap, winning the gold medal in the floor exercise with a margin of less than four hundredths of a point. While it was anticipated that Biles might not medal on the beam—a notoriously challenging and unpredictable apparatus—it was surprising that she finished second in her favorite event, marking the first time since the 2015 US national championships that she had been outperformed on the floor. Amid a week that saw gymnasts from Algeria, Ireland, and the Philippines celebrate their countries’ inaugural Olympic titles, Andrade’s gold might have been the most unexpected outcome.

The closing day of a momentous gymnastics program in the 12th arrondissement does not overshadow what has been an outstanding comeback for Biles, who at this point is the oldest American woman on an Olympic gymnastics team since the 1950s. Heading into Monday, she had already claimed three gold medals, solidifying the United States’ redemption in the team event, becoming only the third woman to win the Olympic all-around title twice, and claiming a third title in the vault. Biles leaves Paris with a staggering total of 41 medals from the Olympics and world championships, making her the most decorated gymnast in history by a significant margin.

However, what was emphasized on Monday was Biles’ position as the helm of gymnastics’ revitalized dynasty. At these Paris Games, it was evident that Biles’ leadership was the essence of the US women’s gymnastics team. She showcased her best qualities even in defeat. When she enveloped a tearful Jordan Chiles in a warm embrace following a final moment that elevated the 23-year-old from fifth to bronze, Biles expressed more joy for her teammate than for herself. This was similarly evident when she honored Andrade on the podium in a moment that will resonate throughout these Summer Games, radiating genuine happiness and admiration for a rival who has been pursuing her for nearly ten years.

Although Biles was the standout of the Rio Olympic team, known as the Final Five, it was Aly Raisman who led in the locker room. Despite expectations for Biles to lead during the pandemic-rescheduled Tokyo Games, she sensibly shifted her focus to her own mental health after stepping back from the team event due to a case of the twisties. In Paris, however, the question of leadership has been unequivocally answered, and for the most part, she has embraced the role with grace. Even as the oldest US women’s gymnastics team since 1952—affectionately dubbed the Golden Girls—Biles has taken on a matriarchal role among a team that has long revered her. Throughout the week, Biles remained a constant source of vocal support and motivation for teammates and competitors alike, reflecting the unique camaraderie that characterizes gymnastics.

Biles is part of a group of seasoned American athletes, including Ryan Crouser, Lee Kiefer, Katie Ledecky, and Nyjah Huston, who have expressed interest in extending their careers for a chance to compete in a home Olympics four years from now. As the oldest Olympic all-around champion in 72 years, Biles will be 31 when the Los Angeles Games commence. Given her exceptional self-confidence, earning potential, prominence as the figurehead of the US Olympic movement, and the positive reforms at USA Gymnastics led by CEO Li Li Leung, there’s a strong likelihood we will see her compete in some capacity, possibly as a specialist, likely after a similar two-year hiatus she took after Rio and Tokyo.

It will be intriguing to observe how Biles leverages her immense influence as the team’s unquestionable leader moving forward. Interestingly, while she managed the surprise of Monday’s defeat with poise, it was her focus in victory that raised some questions. She expressed an excessive preoccupation with her critics following Tuesday’s team gold and mentioned the internal “Fuck Around and Find Out” nickname. While understandable, her comments about a long-forgotten teammate who had previously doubted the team in a vlog did not receive much attention outside the gymternet community. But when the 27-year-old, who is the face of the US Olympic team, involved Chiles in the unfolding drama, it drifted into the territory of cliquishness versus true team spirit.

Of course, there are moments when a bit of pettiness can serve a purpose. Biles’ extended celebration after her floor routine on Monday, particularly following a judge’s deduction for not doing so after her beam dismount, would have certainly pleased Katniss Everdeen. It is vital to note that these side stories, earned through years of hard work, have resonated strongly on social media. In fact, such interactions might engage younger audiences regarding the Olympics more effectively than introducing new sports like breakdancing or 3×3 basketball.

Above all, it is imperative to emphasize that Biles, the gymnast, is an unparalleled talent, a unique artist who renders the impossible as routine and the extraordinary as effortless. We are unlikely to encounter another athlete of her caliber. Observing her groundbreaking performances over the last decade has been comparable to witnessing Vince Carter defy gravity during the NBA dunk contest or Maradona weaving through half the England team at the Azteca Stadium. Since clinching her first national title in 2013, she has triumphed in every all-around competition she has entered—34 in total—creating one of the most impregnable records in sports. Many argue she has been America’s finest athlete for over a decade, unequivocally.

However, the mere act of engaging with detractors who speculate on her name detracts from the joy and exuberance that audiences wish to remember when reflecting on Biles’ performances. As she continues her journey as the unassailable leader of the world-class US women’s gymnastics squad—one she can fill for as long as she desires—her influence in shaping the program that commands respect across the sport, and in inspiring the upcoming generation of gymnasts, remains more significant than ever and arguably eclipses even the US Olympic movement itself. Observing how she navigates this influence in the future will certainly be fascinating.