Simone Biles has solidified her status as a gymnastics legend by winning her 10th Olympic medal, the seventh of which is gold, in the vault apparatus final at the Paris Olympics. Biles outperformed Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade, who took home the silver, while American Jade Carey redeemed herself from a disappointing vault final in Tokyo by securing the bronze.
Individual Apparatus Finals in Paris
The individual apparatus finals kicked off in Paris with the men’s floor exercise, women’s vault, and men’s pommel horse events. Biles showcased her prowess and skill in the vault competition, displaying her trademark moves to secure the top spot once again.
Biles’ Impressive Performance
To clinch the gold in the vault final, gymnasts must execute two vaults with different entries onto the vaulting table. Biles wowed the crowd with her signature vault, the Yurchenko double pike, known as “Biles II,” which is considered the most difficult vault in the women’s gymnastics rulebook. Her flawless execution earned her a score of 15.700, the highlight of her performance in Paris.
Her second vault, the “Cheng,” earned her a score of 14.900, resulting in an impressive average score of 15.300 between the two vaults. Biles’ mastery and precision in executing these complex moves set her apart from the competition.
Competitive Field in Paris
In 2016, Biles became the first American woman to win Olympic gold in vault. Facing tough competition in Paris, Andrade matched Biles’ execution but fell slightly short in terms of difficulty. Despite Andrade’s exceptional performance, Biles’ consistency and technical proficiency secured her position at the top.
Andrade opted for a less challenging vault, the Amanar, instead of debuting her triple-twisting Yurchenko, the “Andrade.” The vault final was a platform for Biles to showcase her resilience and determination, especially after facing challenges like the “twisties” in Tokyo.
Biles’ Historic Achievements
Throughout the Paris Olympics, Biles has continued to rewrite the record books. From surpassing Shannon Miller’s medal count to becoming the most decorated American gymnast in Olympic history, Biles has left an indelible mark on the sport.
Her decision to perform her challenging “Biles II” vault in the all-around final demonstrated her unwavering commitment to excellence, ultimately leading her to claim the gold once again. Biles’ competitive spirit and ability to deliver under pressure set her apart from her peers.
Biles’ Influence and Legacy
Biles’ unmatched success and unparalleled skill have elevated the sport of gymnastics to new heights. Her impact goes beyond the medals she has won, inspiring future generations of gymnasts to push the boundaries of what is possible in the sport.
While Biles has not announced her retirement, her legacy as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time is firmly cemented in Olympic history.
