Simone Biles has created history—be it by becoming the first woman to win two non-consecutive Olympic all-around titles or by being the oldest woman to snag the all-around gold since Soviet gymnast Maria Gorokhovskaya at the 1952 Helsinki Games. Yet, Biles fell just short of matching the title of the greatest gymnast of all time to win gold due to a single mistake in her performance in Paris.

On the 5th of August, Simone Biles competed in the balance beam finals at the 2024 Paris Olympics with hopes of securing another gold medal. Despite her performances, during the Games including leading Team USA to victory in the team final and winning gold in both the all-around and vault finals, she faced a stumble on the balance beam today. This small mistake led to a score of 13.100, denying her another gold and adding a setback, to her achievements.

Biles came close. But did not match Larisa Latynina’s feat of winning nine Olympic gold medals. Latynina, a figure, in gymnastics from 1956 to 1964 accumulated a total of 14 individual Olympic medals and 4 team medals( 9 golds, 5 silvers, and 4 bronzes). Despite Biles’s remarkable achievements with a total of 10 medals. Seven golds, one silver, and two bronzes. She fell short of surpassing Latina’s gold medal count. This is the first time, apart from her uneven bars performances, that Biles has reached a final and not walked away with a medal.

Alice Domato, from Italy, took the lead in the beam event with a score of 14.366 followed closely by Zhou Yaqin from China with 14.100. Manila Esposito, also representing Italy achieved a score of 14.000. Simone Biles and Suni Lee both received scores of 13.100 while Julia Soares from Brazil scored 12.333 and Sabrina Maneca Voinea, from Romania, concluded with a score of 11.733. However, Simone still has an opportunity to create a moment.

Simone Biles keeps the door ajar for 2028

Simone Biles is considering extending her lease. Minutes after securing her third gold medal of the Paris Olympics, her seventh career gold—Biles left the door open to competing in the 2028 Los Angeles Games. “Never say never. The next Olympics is at home, so you just never know,” she said with a laugh. “But I am getting really old.”Could this be a hint that Simone Biles might compete in the next Olympics as well? If she does, she could potentially add more gold medals to her collection and become the oldest gymnast to win all-around gold at the Paris Games, as she will be 31. However, her journey hasn’t always been smooth sailing!

Three years ago, following a harrowing experience in Tokyo, Biles was uncertain if she’d ever compete again, let alone return to the Olympics. The “twisties” had disrupted her sense of aerial awareness, making her question her gymnastics skills and risking her safety. The criticism she faced from keyboard warriors and right-wing pundits, including now-vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance, only added to her struggles. These attacks, branding her as weak and a quitter, stung deeply, even though they were unfounded.

Despite the negativity, Biles has proven her resilience. At 27, she’s more dominant than ever. On 3rd August, she won gold on vault with her signature Yurchenko double pike- a skill so difficult few men attempt it. With a combined score of 15.3, she outpaced Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade and became only the second woman to win the Olympic vault title twice. With 10 total Olympic medals and the balance beam and floor exercise finals still to come, Biles is poised to surpass Allyson Felix’s record of 11 Olympic medals by an American woman. Do you wish Biles to make more history? Comment below and let us know!