French gymnast Mélanie de Jesus dos Santos was all set to make a run at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. However, just a year before, in 2015, de Jesus dos Santos injured her knee badly while performing a vault routine in the qualification round of the European Youth Olympic Festival. As a result, she couldn’t make it to the 2016 Summer Games. Unfortunately, it seems the French gymnast has experienced a similar episode of injury yet again, as just a month before the 2024 Paris Olympics, the 24-year-old ended up in another injured routine.

On June 25th, Simone Biles’ training partner, Mélanie de Jesus dos Santos, shared a post-training still with her fans. In the picture, her forearm and hand were smeared with what appeared to be chalk and blood, suggesting that she may have had an accident during practice. She added the story to her gymnastics highlights on her Instagram handle. Additionally, she held a crinkled tissue in her hand, possibly trying to stop the bleeding.

However, for the French prodigy, the focus is all set on competing for a medal at the upcoming Olympic Games. She’s committed to honing her routines and challenging herself. In a conversation with Olympics.com, she said, “I know that the Games are coming very quickly, but I tell myself that I still have time to refine my elements and my movements.”

Interestingly, she has refined her athletic abilities under the direction of coaches Laurent and Cecile Landi, all while training alongside the 7-time Olympic medalist, Simone Biles.

Melanie De Jesus Dos Santos looks at the brighter side

After she recovered from her 2015 knee injury, she “came back way more motivated” and committed herself to honing her skills. “My coaches would tell me that I don’t have to be perfect, but I still really want to refine my moves and get closer to excellence because that’s the way it is. That’s my gymnastics style,” she added.

De Jesus is fortunate to train with one of the greatest, Simone Biles. Despite being away from her home country, she has closely followed the progress and achievements of the French gymnastics team. After training with Biles, De Jesus hopes to showcase her newfound skills and perspectives in Paris.

“I’m so excited, but I’m scared at the same time. The fact that it is in Paris is something extraordinary,” she said. “I think these are going to be my best Games and I am really going to try to have fun and enjoy myself.”

She is also excited about the next phase after Paris as she will be part of Biles’ national U.S. arena touring show, Gold Over America. “I am very happy to be part of this show because it is huge!” she said. “The fact that Simone invited me again is amazing because I know that I’m going to have fun and that it will be gymnastics in a different form. I can’t wait to enjoy this show,” she added recalling the last time she was part of the show three years ago.