Unfortunate! That’s what people said when they got to know that Cecile Landi left the World Champions Centre. After all, she has been coaching Simone Biles since 2017 and with the 2024 Paris Olympics inching closer, a switch in coaching staff can be costly. But the good news is that she will continue to coach in the Olympics while also serving as co-head coach at her new workplace- the University of Georgia Gymnastics. However, the 1996 Olympian’s transition to Georgia did not dampen Biles’s mood. She is happy for her coach. Why else would she publically share a token of appreciation for Landi?

But husband Jonathan Owens also joined Biles to show gratitude to Landi. Cecile Landi posted a story on Instagram saying, “Thank you,” with a heart to Simone Biles and Owens for their wonderful gift before she moves to Georgia. What was the gift?

It was a red Coach pouch, two black bags embossed with CL, and another one with LANDI written on it. Also, there was a handwritten note that read, “Congrats on Georgia! We are excited for you We can’t wait to watch you in action! Go bulldogs !!! – the Owens.” Though Landi is known to be one of the best women’s gymnastics coaches, this gesture from the Owens couple is a testament to her ability as a great mentor.

There’s no doubt about this. Cecile Landi and her husband, Laurent Landi, coached Simone Biles to win three world all-around titles and also a pair of medals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. But Cecile Landi’s transition to collegiate gymnastics came after a lot of deliberation.

She told the ‘All About Gymnastics’ podcast that she had a lengthy discussion with her family, especially her daughter, saying, “It was not an easy one but one that we all agreed on.” She hopes to bring her Olympic-level experience and mentorship to Georgia, and is “thrilled for the opportunity.”

However, she remains focused on the 2024 Olympics as part of the WCC team, continuing her work with elite gymnasts like Simone Biles. Their off-mat bond showcases deep friendship and mutual respect, enhancing both their personal and professional realms.

Beyond gymnastics: The bond between Cecile Landi and Simone Biles

Cecile Landi took her charges after Simone Biles had to face the horror of the Karolyi Ranch and the fear of Dr Larry Nassar. It was the year 2017 and by that time Biles was already a star riding on her Rio Olympics heroics. So the pressure was evident. Landi had said in an interview, “When we started coaching Simone, I would say that we had a different kind of pressure because everyone was waiting for us, maybe, to mess up. ‘How can you get her better? How can you make her better?’ I don’t know, but she can do more. And she did.”

Under Landi’s guidance, Biles could reach her true potential. She won three all-around titles at the Worlds. In 2023, she became the most decorated gymnast ever. Landi said that Biles had “opened her eyes” to many aspects of being a female athlete and praised her focus on bolstering her mental health.

“She’s really in tune with how she’s feeling mentally and physically, speaking up about it, keeping up with her therapist weekly. She knows it’s important,” Landi had said about Simone Biles. Ahead of the Olympic games in Paris, Landi will continue to coach WCC athletes like Biles and Jordan Chiles. 

This year will be the true test of Biles’s grit as she returns to the Olympic stage, getting over her ‘twisties’ stress. After the Tokyo episode, Laurent and Cecile Landi focused on mentally preparing Biles for 2024 with the best approach. Landi emphasized, “Gymnastics is never going to be over for [Simone]” and that she is “going to make it her life.” Landi remains one of Biles’ biggest cheerleaders, and the two maintain a close bond, often featuring in each other’s social media stories. While Laurent Landi continues to be the head at WCC, Cecile Landi’s presence is as important for the gymnasts.