Superstar Biles falls from the podium
Simone Biles is on a historic mission at these Olympic Games, having already won three gold medals. However, she makes a costly mistake in her fourth final, on the balance beam, missing the podium and leaving the door open for an unexpected Italian victory.
In a dramatic fourth final, gymnastics queen Simone Biles missed her shot at a fourth Paris gold on the balance beam, her dream of breaking the Olympic record shattered, at least for now. After her four triumphs in Rio 2016, the 27-year-old American fell from the apparatus and had to settle for 13.100 points and fifth place. The path seemed clear for Brazilian Rebeca Andrade, but despite a strong routine, she too had a few wobbles and received a surprisingly low score (13.933), finishing fourth.
Gold on the "beam of nerves" went to the outstanding Italian Alice D'Amato (14.366). Silver went to Chinese gymnast Zhou Yaqin (14.100), while bronze was won by another Italian, Manila Esposito (14.000). No German athletes qualified for the final, with former world champion Pauline Tratz from Chemnitz failing to make it past the preliminary round.
Biles received her score with a stony expression. After her fall during a somersault, it was clear that she would not be reaching the record of nine Olympic gold medals in Paris, despite attempting the most difficult routines. Only former Soviet gymnast Larissa Latynina and American swimmer Katie Ledecky have won as many Olympic golds.
Biles, who withdrew from the team competition in Tokyo in 2021 due to mental health issues, remains at a total of seven gold medals. She has another chance to add to her tally this afternoon, as she goes into the floor final as the heavy favorite. In Rio and Tokyo, Biles won bronze on the beam.
In the aftermath of her mistake, Simone Biles expressed her disappointment about missing an opportunity to win Paris's balance beam gold, possibly hindering her chance to surpass nine Olympic gold medals, a feat achieved only by Larissa Latynina and Katie Ledecky. Despite this setback, Biles will contest the floor final later, aiming to extend her total of seven Olympic gold medals, which she previously won in Rio and Tokyo on the balance beam.
