Simone Biles, one of the most decorated gymnasts in history, experienced a rare setback at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
During the balance beam finals on Monday, Biles lost her balance and slipped off the apparatus, finishing with a score of 13.100.
This performance placed her fifth, dashing her hopes of securing an 11th Olympic medal.
The gold medal in the event went to Italy’s Alice D’Amato, who scored 14.366. China’s Zhou Yaqin took the silver with a score of 14.100, while another Italian gymnast, Manila Esposito, claimed the bronze with a 14.00.
Biles’ teammate, Sunisa Lee, also faced challenges during her routine, slipping and finishing in sixth place with the same score as Biles, 13.100. Lee concluded her Olympic journey with three medals at the Paris Games—a gold and two bronzes—bringing her total to six across two Olympics.
This achievement ties her with Aly Raisman for third place in all-time medals among American female gymnasts.
Despite the setback, Biles has one final opportunity to add to her medal tally in her signature event, the floor exercise, where she remains a favorite.
The 27-year-old gymnast, competing in her third Summer Games, hinted at a possible return for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, although it would be unusual for a gymnast to compete into their 30s.
Biles has already made history as the most decorated American gymnast, surpassing Shannon Miller’s record of seven Olympic medals.
With 10 career Olympic medals, including seven golds, she remains a dominant figure in the sport. Should she secure another medal, she would tie with Vera Caslavska of Czechoslovakia for the second-most medals among female gymnasts, behind only Larisa Latynina of the Soviet Union, who won 18 medals in the 1956, 1960, and 1964 Games.
As Biles continues to captivate audiences worldwide, her resilience and skill have solidified her legacy as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time. The demand to witness her performances has been evident, with ticket prices outside the Bercy Arena reaching around 1,000 euros ($1,100 U.S.), attracting numerous celebrities, including NFL legend Tom Brady.
Whether this marks the end of Biles’ illustrious Olympic career or another chapter in her storied journey, her contributions to gymnastics and the inspiration she provides to aspiring athletes will undoubtedly endure.
