5109 Miles From Home, Simone Biles Receives Unconventional Support at World Artistic Gymnastics Championships 2023

Back in March 2023, Simone Biles had a hearty dinner with her coach and confidante Cecile Landi at a Mexican restaurant. That’s when Biles first told the French coach that she wanted to return to gymnastics training. Following this, as they exchanged conversations over margaritas, the seven-time Olympian made a decision and she came back, and she came back in style. First, she clinched the US Core Hydration glory, then bagged her eighth all-around title at the 2023 Xfinity Gymnastics Championships.

Interestingly, as Biles stepped on the mats of Antwerp and claimed one more glory to her name by fiercely making it to the code of points by performing her Yurchenko double pike vault, Cecile Landi cannot stop herself from praising Biles in the most heartwarming way. She achieved a historic feat at the World Championships, becoming the first woman to successfully execute the Yurchenko double pike. Biles’ landing was impeccable, requiring only a single step back to maintain her balance, earning her a remarkable score of 15.266.

Simone Biles’ coach expressed her heartfelt praise

A tweet on X (Twitter) by NBC Olympics & Paralympics, titled “Simone Biles is the first female gymnast to perform the Yurchenko double pike on vault internationally, and the skill is now officially called the ‘Biles II.’ #Antwerp2023.” showcased Biles’ incredible power as she executed her Yurchenko double pike vault. But one particular moment captured everyone’s attention.

As soon as Simone Biles achieved this remarkable feat, her coach, C?cile Landi, was seen at the entry point across the floor, jumping up and down with exuberance, passionately cheering for her protege. C?cile Landi’s journey from an Olympic gymnast in 1996 to a coach has been one roller coaster ride. When she decided to move from coaching at the French National Training Center to the United States in 2004, she faced countless doubters.

The C?cile Landi impact

In an exclusive interview with Olympics.com in January 2023, she said, “When I left France, they told me I was going to fail. I was not going to make it. I was going to come back crying and asking for my job back. And here I am, 18 years? later.” C?cile and her husband, Laurent, started coaching Biles at WCC in 2017. Since then, she and her husband have been a rock for Biles. They are always seen cheering her on, and even Biles has often credited their efforts behind her success.

She also stated how working with Biles brought unprecedented pressure to Landi’s coaching career, with high expectations from everyone. She didn’t back down from the challenge, just as she hadn’t when she was told she’d fail as a coach in America. She also shared her message of hope, saying, “Don?t be afraid. People are going to tell you, ‘No.’ People will tell you can?t do it. It?s just keep pushing yourself. Do what you believe you can, and you?ll make it happen.”?

Read more: Sending America Her Love, Simone Biles Opens World Artistic Gymnastics Championships 2023 With Special Message From Team USA

During Women’s Qualifications Day 1 at the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, Simone Biles secured her fifth element, becoming the first woman to do so on the international stage. The jubilation shared by C?cile Landi mirrored the elation of countless Biles fans worldwide.

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