Simone Biles, the greatest gymnast of her generation, wrapped up her final day at the Paris Olympics with more hardware, solidifying her status as one of the most decorated gymnasts in history. Despite facing challenges and doubts, Biles showcased her incredible talent and determination, leaving Paris with three gold medals and a silver.
In the women’s artistic gymnastics individual floor finals, Biles faced tough competition and finished second to Rebeca Andrade of Brazil. This marked the first time in her career that she did not win the floor exercise at a major competition. However, the U.S. coaches requested a review of Jordan Chiles‘ routine, which resulted in her being bumped to bronze and joining Biles and Andrade on the podium. The success of these three Black women symbolizes the increasing diversity and inclusivity in the sport of gymnastics at the highest level.
Prior to the floor exercise, Biles and Sunisa Lee failed to medal on the balance beam, with both gymnasts making mistakes. They speculated that the absence of music during the events created a distracting and eerie silence, impacting their performances. Despite these challenges, Biles‘ overall performance at the Paris Olympics solidified her legacy as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time.
Looking ahead, Biles has not ruled out the possibility of competing in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, showcasing her enduring passion for the sport and her commitment to pushing boundaries and achieving greatness.
In other highlights from Day 10 of the Paris Olympics, Noah Lyles breezed through the 200-meter heat, aiming to become the first man to double since Usain Bolt in 2016. Valarie Allman secured back-to-back golds in the women’s discus, while Keely Hodgkinson gave Britain its first athletics gold medal in the women’s 800-meter final.
In beach volleyball, U.S. teams faced mixed results, with Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss losing to Canada in the women’s quarterfinals, and Chase Budinger and Miles Evans falling to Norway in the men’s. Despite these setbacks, Miles Evans and Andy Benesh advanced, keeping U.S. hopes alive in the competition.
The Seine River, once considered too toxic for swimming, hosted the mixed relay triathlon event after water quality tests indicated acceptable levels. The decision to allow the event to proceed came after some athletes fell ill, raising concerns about the water quality. In a close sprint finish, Germany clinched the gold medal, with the United States taking silver and Britain securing bronze.
In soccer, Spain advanced to the Olympic men’s final after a 2-1 victory over Morocco, setting up a showdown with host France. The British cycling team set a world record in the women’s team sprint, securing their nation’s first medal in the event since its debut in 2008.
Overall, Day 10 of the Paris Olympics showcased the resilience, talent, and determination of athletes from around the world, highlighting the spirit of competition and the pursuit of excellence on the global stage.