PARIS: Simone Biles flipped and twisted before a packed Bercy Arena as the United States (US) women’s team led by a large margin of 5.435 points over Italy to top the Olympic gymnastics qualifying on Sunday, Xinhua news agency reported.
Biles and her teammates Sunisa Lee, Jade Carey, Jordan Chiles and Hezly Rivera amassed 172.296 points across vault, balance beam, uneven bars, and floor exercise, edging a step closer to a fourth Olympic title after earning a team silver in Tokyo.
The US took gold in 1996, 2012, and 2016.
China, who finished seventh in Tokyo lay third with 166.628, ahead of Brazil. Japan, Canada, Britain and Romania also advanced to the team final.
Biles scored a total of 59.566 to lead the individual all-around qualifying, despite a possible calf injury she sustained weeks ago.
The seven-time Olympic medallist also topped individual vault and floor qualifications while placing second on the balance beam.
“It was good,” said team coach Cecile Landi. “It wasn’t perfect, but they had a good day. It was exciting to see the crowd and the audience being so excited and cheerful for everyone. That really helped.”
Three years ago, Biles pulled out of the Tokyo team final after suffering a mental block performing mid-air skills.
She lost her sense of direction during a vault attempt — a phenomenon known as the ‘twisties’, before deciding to withdraw from the competition to protect her mental health.
With such a history and all the media attention, Biles was under tremendous pressure.
“The team rely 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.” – BERNAMA-XINHUA
