Olympics | U.S. lead women’s gymnastics qualifying as Biles dominates

Simone Biles of the United States competes in the vault event of the artistic gymnastics women’s qualification match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Bercy Arena in Paris, France, on July 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Cao Can)

PARIS, July 28 (Xinhua) — In front of a packed Bercy Arena, Simone Biles wowed the crowd as the U.S. women’s gymnastics team secured the top spot in the Olympic qualifiers, finishing 5.435 points ahead of Italy.

Biles, alongside her teammates Sunisa Lee, Jade Carey, Jordan Chiles, and Hezly Rivera, scored a combined 172.296 points across the vault, balance beam, uneven bars, and floor exercise. This performance brings the team closer to their fourth Olympic title, following a team silver in Tokyo and gold medals in 1996, 2012, and 2016.

China, who finished seventh in Tokyo, currently holds third place with 166.628 points, trailing Brazil. Japan, Canada, Britain, and Romania have also advanced to the team final.

Despite a recent calf injury, Biles scored 59.566, leading the individual all-around qualifiers. Trailing her were Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade, the Tokyo all-around silver medalist, and reigning Olympic champion Sunisa Lee.

Biles topped the individual vault and floor qualifications and placed second on the balance beam.

“It was good,” said team coach Cecile Landi. “It wasn’t perfect, but they had a good day. The crowd’s excitement and support made a huge difference.”

All gymnasts will start fresh in the finals, as qualifying scores do not carry over.

Despite their efforts, France, the 2023 world bronze medal winners, did not make it into the top eight teams due to errors on the balance beam and uneven bars.

Biles showed her usual confidence during her balance beam routine, but she took extra time before stepping on the mat and frequently consulted her coach. Her composed performance is a stark contrast to three years ago in Tokyo, where she experienced the ‘twisties’ and withdrew to prioritise her mental health.

“[The team] relies on each other, they support each other to not feel that pressure,” Landi said. “I think she feels good. She continues to talk to her therapist, and we are, of course, listening to her when she needs it.”

Biles delivered an impressive floor routine, helping her team advance despite a fall by Jade Carey, the reigning Olympic floor champion, during her final tumbling pass. Biles’ routine received a score of 14.600, earning gasps and applause from the audience.

Kaylia Nemour of Algeria finished fifth in the all-around qualifying, scoring 15.600 on the uneven bars. If she reaches the podium in the final, she will become the first African gymnast to earn an Olympic medal in the sport.

Simone Biles (front) celebrates with Jordan Chiles of the United States after the artistic gymnastics women’s qualification match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Bercy Arena in Paris, France, July 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Cao Can)

Zhou Yaqin of China competes in the floor exercise event of the artistic gymnastics women’s qualification match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Bercy Arena in Paris, France, July 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei)

Qiu Qiyuan of China competes in the balance beam event of the artistic gymnastics women’s qualification match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Bercy Arena in Paris, France, July 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)

Qiu Qiyuan of China competes in the uneven bars event of the artistic gymnastics women’s qualification match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Bercy Arena in Paris, France, July 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)

Zhou Yaqin of China competes in the balance beam event of the artistic gymnastics women’s qualification match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Bercy Arena in Paris, France, July 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei)

Simone Biles of the United States competes in the uneven bars event of the artistic gymnastics women’s qualification match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Bercy Arena in Paris, France, July 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)

Simone Biles of the United States competes in the balance beam event of the artistic gymnastics women’s qualification match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Bercy Arena in Paris, France, July 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei)

Sabrina Maneca-Voinea of Romania competes in the balance beam event of the artistic gymnastics women’s qualification match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Bercy Arena in Paris, France, July 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)

Lorrane Oliveira of Spain competes during women’s qualification of artistic gymnastics at Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on July 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)

Ana Perez of Spain reacts during the women’s qualification of artistic gymnastics at Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on July 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)

Ana Perez of Spain competes during women’s qualification of artistic gymnastics at Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on July 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)

Solyi Shin of South Korea competes during the floor exercise match of the artistic gymnastics women’s qualification at Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)

Dayeong Lee of South Korea competes during the uneven bars match of the artistic gymnastics women’s qualification at Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)

Eom Dohyun of South Korea competes during the balance beam match of the artistic gymnastics women’s qualification at Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)

Chang Ok An of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) competes during the uneven bars match of the artistic gymnastics women’s qualification at Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)

Emma Malabuyo of the Philippines competes during the vault match of the artistic gymnastics women’s qualification at Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)

Coline Devillard of France competes during the balance beam match of the artistic gymnastics women’s qualification at Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)

Mana Okamura of Japan competes during the floor exercise match of the artistic gymnastics women’s qualification at Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Cheng Min)

Lieke Wevers of Netherlands competes during the balance beam match of the artistic gymnastics women’s qualification at Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, July 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei)