SIMONE Biles failed to win a fourth gold medal as her Olympic games came to an end on Monday after a series of errors and a bizarre argument with fans.
The 27-year-old’s day got off to a tough start with a fall from the balance beam before an error
Simone Biles first missed out on her fourth gold in Paris when she fell during the balance beam finalCredit: Alamy
Biles stepped out of bounds during the floor final, dropping her from gold contentionCredit: AP
The balance beam final kicked off Biles and Co.’s final day at the Bercy Arena, where she was seemingly left frustrated by some members of the crowd.
Biles was heard on the television feed saying something to the crowd.
“Stop shushing, why are they shushing,” the US gymnast appeared to say.
Biles followed US teammate Suni Lee and two others to slip off the beam on Monday.
During Lee’s routine, the six-time Olympic medalist fell after a trio of backflips.
After jumping back up and finishing her routine, Biles was quick to cheer her teammate up on the side, telling her, “It was so good though!”
Later, Biles too fell from the beam during her routine after losing her balance.
Clearly frustrated, she remounted the beam and finished her routine beautifully before quickly leaving the floor.
Both Americans scored 13.100 for their routines, leaving them outside of the medal positions.
Biles had previously won bronze in Tokyo and in Rio de Janeiro on the balance beam.
Official trailer for Simone Biles Rising on Netflix
Lee was the 2022 NCAA National Championship gold medalist in the event.
This marked USA’s first failure to finish on the podium at a women’s balance beam final in an Olympic Games since 2000.
Italy’s Alice D’Amato went on to win gold in Paris, with China’s Yaqin Zhou in second, and Italian Manila Esposita in third.
D’Amato’s win was a historic moment for Italy, becoming the first woman to win an Olympic gold in gymnastics.
STEP TOO FAR
Later, Biles returned to action at the Bercy Arena in the floor final – her signature event.
Unfortunately, Biles landed out of bounds during her event, scoring 14.133 which left her out of gold medal contention.
Her performance was remarkable nonetheless given that while warming up, she appeared to fall while landing before getting her calf heavily wrapped on the sides.
Victory in either event would’ve been Biles’ fourth gold of the Paris Olympics.
Biles wound up finishing with a silver on the floor, as teammate Jordan Chiles won the bronze after an inquiry bumped her up from fourth at the last minute.
Chiles burst into tears after her third-place finish was confirmed – the first time she’d won an individual Olympic medal.
Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade won her first gold of the games, becoming her country’s most decorated Olympian.
She won gold in the team all-round and individual all-round last week.
And on Saturday Biles added gold in the vault to make it three in Paris.
Biles and her Team USA co-star Jordan Chiles, who took bronze on the floor, showed class, celebrating Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade’s victory on the podiumCredit: Getty
The three gymnasts took a selfie as they held their medalsCredit: The Mega Agency
Biles also posed with all the silverware she won at the Paris GamesCredit: Getty
TIMES UP?
The 27-year-old could yet compete on home soil at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Her first coach thinks she is enjoying her role in this team being one of the eldest participants.
“Having younger teammates benefits her because she has stepped in as the mother hen figure,” Aimee Boorman told The U.S. Sun.
“And so she has to tell them to stay calm. You’ve got this. You’re prepared. And so as she’s saying it, she’s also hearing it.
“I think that she’s definitely in a better place mentally. I can see it in her eyes.”
After picking up her final medal of the 2024 Olympics, Biles spoke to NBC where – while she refused to discuss her future – she did open up on what she believes there is still to achieve.
“Nothing. Relax,” she said before she couldn’t hold back the laughter anymore.
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