Photo by Markus Gilliar – GES Sportfoto/Getty Images
Simone Biles is still at the top of her game, and everyone else is competing for silver.
Simone Biles was already considered one of the greatest American athletes of all-time before she entered the women’s gymnastics all-around finals at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Biles counted five Olympic gold medals to her name entering the day to go along with 23 World Championships gold medals, but at 27 years old, she was out to prove that she remained the best in the world at an age when most gymnasts decide to retire.
Biles famously dropped out of the all-around finals at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics citing mental health concerns. While Biles had proven at events earlier this year that she was still in top form, the Olympic stage would always be the ultimate test.
Biles was spectacular from the very start, winning the all-around finals to claim the sixth Olympic gold medal of her historic career. There were so many talented gymnasts in this event who pushed her to compete at her highest level, but in the end, no one else is even close to touching Biles when she’s at her best.
Biles earned gold with an all-around score of 59.131. Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade earned silver with a score of 57.932, while American Suni Lee took bronze with a score of 56.465.
Biles is the oldest women’s all-around Olympic champion since 1952. She is the first woman to win two Olympic all-around golds since 1968. Her six gold medals are now the most in U.S. gymnastics history.
The gold medal run wasn’t without some adversity. Biles nearly fell on uneven bars, which opened up a sliver of hope for everyone else. Instead, she regained her composure and crushed the rest of the events.
Biles solidified the gold with her floor routine on the final apparatus. She had the most difficult routine of any competitor in the field, and she nailed it to surpass Andrade in the final standings.
Biles also nailed a high-pressure beam routine.
This is the sixth straight gold medal for the United States in the women’s all-around individual competition. Biles put on a sparkling GOAT chain earlier in the day, and there’s no denying her place in history right now. There’s never been a better American gymnast, and there’s never been another women’s gymnast with such a long prime.
Biles will be 31 years old at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. That’s ancient for a gymnast, but at this point, we should know Biles can do anything she sets her mind to.
