“An athlete like Simone would never have reached her full potential in France,” said Cecile Landi to the Associated Press. “Because she would have been put aside because she didn’t fit that box.” The coach had one of the best working relationships with the GOAT, Simone Biles, during their seven years together. When she joined WCC as the personal coach of the gymnast in 2017, Simone was already a four-time Olympic gold medalist.

This statement could be used to discredit her work with the gymnasts. However, Simone herself credits Cecile for being one of the biggest mentors of her adult life. She says that Cecile helped her not only inside the gym but also outside of it. As Cecile gears up for her new role as co-head coach at Georgia, Simone is right behind her, cheering her on every step of the way.

At a recent ceremony honoring Georgia Gymnastics’ standout athletes from the Paris Olympics, Cecile was celebrated as well. She wore a special blue denim jacket emblazoned with “Georgia Gym Dawgs” on the back in bold red, black, and white text complete with rhinestones—definitely a fitting title for a coach who knows how to lead a pack!

Cecile Landi shared a pic of herself rocking the jacket on social media, thanking the World Champions Centre in Houston, Texas, for the stylish gift. The gym is owned by none other than Simone’s parents, Ronald and Nellie Biles, making this gift even sweeter. In her Instagram story caption, she wrote, “❤ this jacket!!! Thank you, @worldchampionscentretx.”

It’s clear that Cecile and Simone have kept their beautiful bond strong even after parting ways professionally. You could feel the love when Biles shared a heartfelt note for her coach after Cecile’s departure from WCC. As soon as the news broke, the 11x Olympic medalist took to her Instagram story to share her feelings about the transition.

“End of an era. It’s not a goodbye; it’s a see you later,” she wrote, accompanied by a sweet photo of herself with Cecile and her husband, Laurent Landi, who also played a key role in Simone’s coaching and comeback to the sport after the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. It’s a caption that says it all! Simone’s words highlight just how much Cecile means to her—not just as a coach but as a mentor and friend. Given how Cecile’s coaching methods have shaped Simone Biles’ career, it’s safe to say this dynamic duo won’t be forgetting each other anytime soon.

Cecile Landi and Laurent Landi’s impact on Simone Biles’ career

When Cecile and Laurent Landi got their hands on Simone Biles, they understood that they were dealing with a once-in-a-generation athlete. They also knew that she must be treated differently to make her fulfill her entire potential. Laurent Landi stated to AP, “We’re not always right. If you do your own thing all the time, you will hurt the majority of the athletes… We had to adjust to Simone; otherwise, we would have broken her.”

Cecile also felt that Simone cannot be subjected to heavily strict regimes. In the gymnast’s Netflix docuseries, the coach talked about how she was herself given a very strict diet where she spent hours remaining hungry. However, she had a different coaching mindset, as she believed coaches should adjust to the individual needs of athletes.

With Cecile and Laurent’s innovative approach, it’s no wonder they’ve earned a reputation as some of the best coaches in the sport. Their influence isn’t just limited to Simone; they’ve also played a pivotal role in shaping Jordan Chiles, Joscelyn Roberson’s, and other WCC athlete’s journeys, proving they have the magic touch with two of the most talented gymnasts in the world.