After much anticipation and waiting, Simone Biles Rising Part 2 has finally been released on Netflix. The first part of the show stole fans’ hearts as they showed her recovering from her Tokyo heartbreak to winning the 2023 World Championships. Part 2 dives deep into her incredible redemption at the Paris Olympics, where she clinched four medals. And who played a huge part in making this comeback possible? None other than her dedicated coaches, Cecile and Laurent Landi at WCC.

Cecile, especially, was there from the very start of this comeback story. It all kicked off last March when Simone, still uncertain about returning, had a cozy dinner with Cecile over margaritas at a Mexican restaurant. Later, Cecile revealed that Simone was serious about giving herself another shot, sharing, “She told me she really wanted to give herself a chance to do it.” And just like that, with a meal and a margarita, Simone’s journey to Paris was on.

For Cecile, though, this journey wasn’t just about these last few months; she was right by Simone’s side three years ago in Tokyo. When Simone withdrew from nearly every event, battling the infamous “twisties,” Cecile was there, helping her through. Now, watching her athlete bring home four medals in Paris? It’s the ultimate full-circle moment for the coach-athlete duo. After all the adrenaline of Paris and the whirlwind Gold Over America Tour, they finally reunited at the Simone Biles Rising premiere on October 23 in LA. Simone invited her closest people, and Cecile was right there, proudly posting a picture from the night on Instagram.

Her caption was heartfelt: “Such a special night celebrating the premiere of Simone Biles Rising on Netflix in Hollywood! Many thanks to Simone for sharing this night with us, I’m always in awe of you, No matter the accolades, you always stay true to yourself and truly care about the people around you. ❤️” This was a very heartfelt message, which showed how much the coach really admired the gymnast. But the admiration and love have come from both sides, showcasing the bond they have forged.

Cecile and Laurent Landi began coaching Simone Biles in 2017, and it all started when Simone herself approached them. The Landis had dreams of opening their own gym, but when the opportunity to coach the world’s greatest gymnast came along, they couldn’t pass it up. Cecile put it perfectly: “We could always open a gym later on, but coaching Simone is once in a lifetime.” And just like that, one of the most remarkable partnerships in gymnastics history was born.

But this isn’t just any coach-athlete relationship. Cecile has become a fixture in Simone’s life, appearing at family events like her wedding to Jonathan Owens and the Simone Biles Rising premiere, showing just how much she means to the Biles family. Simone herself has opened up about the impact Cecile and Laurent have had on her life beyond gymnastics. “They’ve been big mentors in like my adulthood (because) they got to see and harness the more mature Simone. They’ve helped me a lot not just in the gym but out of the gym, too.”

Laurent’s expertise in uneven bars was a game-changer for Simone and Cecile, and her focus on balance beam, dance, and an extra dose of compassion has been equally invaluable. “She is not only here for our gymnastics; she’s here for our well-being as humans. It was kind of the perfect team we put together to take my gymnastics to new heights,” said Biles. The best part? It’s a two-way street. When Cecile got a sweet offer to be head coach at the University of Georgia, Simone didn’t get bitter—she hyped her up!

Simone Biles is all in for Cecile Landi’s leap to the University of Georgia!

After the Paris Olympics, Cecile started a new journey, leaving Simone Bile’s side and joining the University of Georgia as co-head coach. For this, she had the goat’s backing, who congratulated her on her Instagram story. She said, “Congratulations, Cecile. I can’t think of a more deserving person. Can’t wait to see what the future holds for UGA gymnastics!” It was a heartfelt send-off, proving they parted on great terms, ready to take on new challenges!

When Cecile Landi announced her departure from WCC, Simone put out a different story, saying, “End of an era. It’s not a goodbye; it’s a see you later.” In fact, ever since then, Simone’s whole family has shown their appreciation towards the French coach. On October 26th, Simone Biles’ sister-in-law, Sammi Biles, shared a beautiful Instagram story of her wearing a World Championships center jacket. Through this gesture, she wanted to pay tribute to Cecile Landi.

In the same story, she also included a photo of the French coach alongside her daughter, Baby Biles, who has just started to train in the gym after developing a keen interest in the sport following her aunt. In the caption of the story, Sammi wrote that she was missing Cecile’s presence in the gym, which made her wear her jacket. Baby Biles’ mother also went on to mention how lucky the University of Georgia was to get her in the coaching seat. “Go Dawgs!” she said.

Even Simone’s parents, who run the WCC gym, made an incredible gesture towards her. In a University of Georgia ceremony where their standout athletes at the Paris Olympics were celebrated, Cecile was also honored. During the function, she wore a special denim jacket that had “Georgia Gym Dawgs” written on the back. She later thanked the WCC gym, from whom she had received the gift.

This probably came from Simone Biles’ parents, who own and operate the gym, showing just how much the entire family appreciates Cecile. And why wouldn’t they? Cecile has played a huge role in Simone Biles’ legacy. With that kind of bond, it’s no surprise they’ll always wish each other well and stay on good terms as they pursue their respective journeys!