Simone Biles wouldn’t be the legendary G.O.A.T. she is today without the Landis, who were more like family than just coaches. Since they began guiding her in 2017, Cecile Canqueteau-Landi and Laurent Landi have pushed Simone to reach new heights. But as they say, every good thing must come to an end, and it looks like Cecile and Simone are about to part ways. Now, with Cecile stepping into a new role as co-head coach at the University of Georgia, it’s a classic case of when one door closes, another opens.

This move follows the departure of former head coach Courtney Kupets Carter, and Ryan Roberts will temporarily take the reins while Cecile and Roberts aim to elevate the Bulldogs to the next level. Even for Simone’s followers, seeing Cecile make this transition feels like watching a family member start an important journey away from home. Naturally, this transition has become something deeply personal for the gymnast and her loved ones. How will they handle this shift, knowing that Cecile’s impact on their lives has been nothing short of transformative? It’s a bittersweet moment as they turn the page. But it seems that more than just Biles, another family member of Biles will also deeply miss Cecile.

On August 26th, Sammi Biles, wife of Ron Biles II and Simone Biles’ sister-in-law, shared a heartfelt Instagram story. She posted a photo of herself wearing a World Champions Centre (WCC) jacket, paying tribute to Cecile Canqueteau-Landi, who has coached numerous Olympians and world champions. The Landis has been a significant draw for top gymnasts from across the country to the World Champions Centre, the club owned by Simone’s parents, where they used to coach.

However, in the story, Sammi also included a sweet photo of herself with Cecile and her daughter, affectionately known as Baby Biles or Ronni, who is just 21 months old and already showing an interest in gymnastics.

Sammi captioned the photo, “Missing Cecile, so wearing WCC jacket in the office today,” suggesting that she might be taking on more office duties while reflecting on the impact Cecile has had on their lives. She also added, “Your presence is already missed here. Georgia is so fortunate to have you. Go Dawgs!” with heart emojis. Given how close Simone and Cecile were, it’s clear this change will be felt deeply. But what is Simone Biles feeling at this moment?

Simone Biles’ celebration of Cecile’s lasting impact

Two decades ago, Cecile and Laurent Landi made a bold move from France to the U.S., arriving in Norman, Oklahoma, without knowing English. They eventually found their way to Dallas, where they joined WOGA, a top gymnastics club. There, they coached stars like Madison Kocian and Alyssa Baumann. They had dreams of starting their own gym, but in 2017, when Biles was looking for new coaches, they stepped in. And since then, she started coaching her.

Cecile’s coaching journey reached a high point with Simone Biles’ comeback. After guiding Simone through a tough Tokyo Games in 2021, where Simone faced mental challenges, Cecile helped her return to win four medals in Paris. Simone, who was already at the top of her game in 2016, continued to break new ground with Cecile and Laurent’s support.

They even helped her perfect skills like the Yurchenko double pike and the “Biles II” on the floor. With their partnership now ending, Simone shared a touching farewell on Instagram on August 24th: “End of an era 🥹🤞🏾🤍. It’s not a goodbye, it’s a see you later.” It’s clear Simone is not just saying farewell but celebrating their incredible journey together and giving approval as well.