Back in 2015, before Simone Biles was the global icon who flipped and soared her way into Olympic history in Rio, she stumbled across a video of a tiny gymnast who left her jaw on the floor. Simone posted on X (then Twitter): “im in awe.{perfect} some1 help me find this cutie. I wanna meet her, so she could teach me a thing or two #goals.” That “cutie” was none other than Joscelyn Roberson, just a spark of a gymnast back then, still in her early stages, but already packing enough power, poise, and potential to impress the queen of the sport herself.

Fast-forward to 2024: the same little girl who once had Simone gushing on social media was now named as an alternate on the U.S. Olympic gymnastics team—the same team led by Simone Biles. If that’s not a goosebumps-worthy full-circle moment, what is? But Joscelyn didn’t just get there on talent and a viral moment. The real transformation began when she started working under the elite coaching duo Cécile and Laurent Landi. These two are not just any coaches—they are the minds behind the modern-day gymnastics dynasty being built at the World Champions Centre in Spring, Texas. That’s right, the very same gym that Simone calls home.

Who is Laurent Landi? 

In July 2024, Laurent Landi stood in the middle of what some called the greatest pressure-cooker in gymnastics: the U.S. Olympic “Redemption Tour.” After the turbulence of Tokyo 2021, the mission was crystal clear—bring back the gold, and do it with style, grace, and strength. And yet, while the stakes were sky-high, Laurent’s mindset remained remarkably grounded. “It’s not the athlete that needs to adjust to the coaches,” he said. “The coaches need to adjust to the athletes and the athletes’ abilities.”

That one quote says everything about the way Laurent Landi approaches his craft. Since taking the reins at World Champions Centre back in 2017, the Landis had become more than just coaches—they were architects of potential, sculpting elite gymnasts not in their image but in the athletes’ own best form. And in 2024, that philosophy was on full display.

With Simone Biles back and leading the charge—arguably at her most mature, focused, and mentally free version yet—the Landis weren’t just coaching. They were navigating expectations, pressure, legacy, and redemption all at once. Yet they never strayed from their mission: support the gymnast, adapt to the individual, and above all, make the athlete feel empowered. And this wasn’t just about Simone.

This philosophy ran deep—even to the likes of Joscelyn Roberson, who had come up through the ranks under the Landis’ careful guidance. For Joscelyn, the goal was never to be molded into a “mini-Simone” or forced into someone else’s path. With the Landis, it was about discovering her own voice, her own style, and refining it with the kind of support that never demanded conformity. Her journey wasn’t about fitting into a system—it was about the system bending to nurture her growth.

So when Joscelyn was named as an alternate to the 2024 Olympic team—the same team led by Simone—it wasn’t just a personal triumph. It was a testament to a coaching style that listens first, adjusts second, and builds champions not just with routines but with respect. Well, Laurent Landi isn’t in WCC anymore. He isn’t there with any direct coaching role for Joscelyn. In February of this year, he was seen helping the budding gymnasts at Legacy Gymnastics in Alabama. 

Who is Cécile Canqueteau-Landi, the other half of the duo coaching Joscelyn Roberson? 

Let’s talk about a woman who’s quietly shaped the golden age of American gymnastics—Cécile Canqueteau-Landi. Her journey starts in the sun-soaked region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, France, where she first made her mark as a gymnast. In 1996, she wore the French colors at the Atlanta Olympics, but little did the world know—her biggest Olympic impact was still to come. Fast forward a few decades, and Cécile isn’t just coaching Olympians—she’s crafting legends.

From the mats of World Champions Centre in Spring, Texas, to the global stage of Rio, Tokyo, and Paris, she’s been the steady force behind 11 Olympic medals earned by powerhouses like Simone Biles, Jordan Chiles, and Madison Kocian. Her work hasn’t just turned heads—it’s earned her the ultimate recognition: 2024 USA Gymnastics Coach of the Year for Women’s Artistic Gymnastics.

But her success goes beyond medals. Cécile has trained and mentored 13 members of the USA Women’s Senior National Team, including Olympic and World champions like Biles and Kocian, as well as World team standouts Alyssa Baumann, Jordan Chiles, and rising star Joscelyn Roberson. Her coaching is part elite science, part quiet mentorship—and 100% athlete-focused.

Before becoming the powerhouse coach we know today, Cécile sharpened her skills at WOGA (World Olympic Gymnastics Academy) from 2007 to 2017—yes, the same gym that gave us legends like Carly Patterson and Nastia Liukin. It was there she coached alongside Ryan Roberts, who would later become her fellow co-head coach at the University of Georgia.

And now, with all that legacy in her corner, Cécile has taken her talents to Georgia, where she continues to build champions not just with drills and routines but with trust, empathy, and a fierce belief in her athletes.

Cécile Canqueteau-Landi is not just a coach. She’s a game-changer. A mentor. A master tactician in a sport that demands perfection—and a woman who’s quietly built one of the most decorated résumés in modern gymnastics. From Provence to the podium—Cécile Canqueteau-Landi’s journey is proof that grace, grit, and gold often go hand in hand. 

Who are the notable gymnasts trained by Laurent and Cécile Landi other than Joscelyn Roberson?

Simone Biles: The most decorated gymnast in the sport’s history.

Jordan Chiles: Two-time Olympic medalist and former world champion. 

Alyssa Baumann: a member of the U.S. team that struck gold at the 2014 World Championships. In both 2014 and 2015, she helped Team USA claim back-to-back titles at the City of Jesolo Trophy, an international proving ground for future stars. And Alyssa wasn’t just part of the team—she stood out individually, clinching silver on beam at both competitions, showing off the calm, elegant style that became her trademark. In 2015, she made it to the final World Championships selection camp, a place reserved for only the best of the best. Though she narrowly missed the final team that year, her presence at that level spoke volumes—Baumann was a force to be reckoned with on one of the world’s most competitive teams.

Morgan Hurd: In 2019, she proved her international dominance by winning all-around gold at the Tokyo World Cup, outshining a field of elite gymnasts on their home turf in Japan. Just months later, she added another jewel to her crown as a key member of Team USA’s gold-medal squad at the 2019 Pan American Games, showing off her signature blend of elegance and fight. But rewind to 2018, and you’ll find the year Morgan Hurd solidified her place as one of the fiercest competitors in U.S. gymnastics. At the World Championships, she helped power the U.S. to yet another team gold and walked away with silver on floor and bronze in the all-around—proving that she wasn’t just a team player but a world-class individual contender. Domestically, she was just as electric. At the 2018 U.S. Championships, Morgan claimed silver in the all-around and on uneven bars, plus bronze on floor—a complete showing that confirmed her as one of the sport’s most well-rounded athletes. With her glasses, quiet confidence, and steely focus, Morgan broke the mold—and then set a new standard. Fierce. Fearless. Unforgettable.