The success of athletes on the podium is rarely a singular event. More often than not, it is a culmination of the disciplined hard work of the coaching staff who toil alongside the athletes, albeit operating in the shadows. Similarly, Simone Biles‘ mind-numbing success after her 2023 comeback might not have seen the light of day if it wasn’t for Cecile Landi and Laurent Landi.

And now, as Cecile Landi’s efforts get another round of applause from USA Gymnastics, Biles couldn’t be happier. In her latest Instagram story, the GOAT hailed the Georgia head co-head coach for the latter’s achievement and counted her blessing for being coached by Landi. “No one deserves this more,” Simone professed in her IG story, and considering Landi’s recent feats, few would argue.

Landi has stood by Biles at every step of the way and continues to be one of the Texan’s biggest cheerleaders. She was also the driving force behind Team USA’s successful Parisian campaign. With that in mind, the USAG has bestowed the prestigious title upon the Georgia HC. “Congratulations to our co-head coach Cécile Canqueteau-Landi on being named @usagym Coach of the Year for Women’s Artistic!” reads the caption of the Instagram post by the country’s apex gymnastics body from October 7.

During Landi’s time as a coach, she has helped a long list of elite gymnasts spread their wings. Along with Biles, it is at the WCC where she trains more Olympic gymnasts including Simone’s bestie Jordan Chile, Joscelyn Roberson. Chiles’ UCLA teammate Tiana Sumanasekera also trains at the same location. Sumanasekera won four gold medals at last year’s PanAm Games and PanAm Championships, further bolstering Landi’s expertise in training stars. For obvious reasons, Biles is elated by the latest milestone of her mentor.

“Truly lucky to have been coached by her!!!” the country’s most decorated gymnast of all time remarked in her social media update. The high reverence the 7x Olympic gold medalist holds for Landi was highlighted once again, even while Biles leads her gang across the country for the second edition of the Gold Over America Tour. But this isn’t the first time the 27-year-old took to the internet to proclaim Landi’s coaching genius.

Simone Biles never ceases to laud her trusty ally

In April this year, Georgia University announced that the former Olympian would take up the role of co-head coach for the Bulldogs. However, her appointment was delayed due to the responsibilities Landi had to lead the American squad at the 33rd Olympic Games in Paris. She took up her new office in August. With her at the helm, Georgia revealed it hoped to regain its elite status in the NCAA circuit once again, and Biles was ecstatic with the prospect. “I can’t think of a more deserving person,” said Simone about what Landi could bring to the table for Georgia to return to its heydays.

The iconic coach first teamed up with Biles in 2017. After the latter’s stellar 2016 Olympic campaign, the duo joined hands at the World Champions Centre. Four years later, when Biles struggled to maintain her cool in Tokyo, Landi remained resolute in her support and claimed that Biles needed to prioritize her mental health first.

This year in Paris too, Landi was the first person who drew attention to the judges’ mistakes regarding Jordan Chiles’ scoring and raised the inquiry immediately. While that still awaits a conclusion, Cecile looks ahead to the new chapter of her coaching career. How do you think the collegiate gymnastics scene will experience a turn of the tides now that an Olympic-experienced coach is here to show how things are done? Share your predictions with us!