When the going gets tough, the tough get going! Simone Biles’ all-around final turnback best suits this champion’s phrase. Well, entering the 2024 Paris Olympics Women’s All-Around finals, she had Everest-sized challenges ahead of her. Redeeming the all-around throne after Rio, fending off her Brazilian rival Andrade, and well, who doesn’t like the possibility of etching history? And like the fierce challenger she is, she has done it ALL. Despite an initial hitch on the bars, Biles, the queen of comebacks led 3 of the 4 rotations, and her 59.131 score has now added another jewel to her already majestic crown!

Today, the all-around finals were not just about Simone Biles’ golden hardware or her phoenix-like resurgence. It was an open crack in the door for her to do something that had not been done in 56 years! And, blooming wherever she gets planted, she did exactly that. Inking her name in history in golden capitals, Biles becomes the first-ever gymnast to clinch a 2nd Olympic all-around title eight years after their first! A shining debutant, Biles had brought the all-around gold at her first-ever Olympics, in Rio. Mind you, she was just 19 then. And today, at 27, she has bagged it back, shattering the glass ceiling! Well, the last consecutive all-around titles were bagged by Larisa Latynina of the Soviet Union in 1956 and 1960.

Biles started strong with a 15.766 on the vault, where her Biles II, double pike was flawless. However, she struggled on the uneven bars, that resulted in her losing her lead, with a weaker 13.733. But, she fought back like a skilled sailor in stormy sea. She had a solid start on the beam. Moreover, she kept pulling herself back in line, despite a few wobbles. And her connections, were picture perfect, worth a 14.566. But to nail it all, she turned onto the floor exercise apparatus, one that sealed the deal. Her triple-twisting double-back had great height, and the difficulty in her routine was quite high, giving her a 15.066.

And with that, Simone Biles brought home her 6th Olympic gold. Switching gears, she won her all-around title back, in Bercy Arena this time. And happily so, in the presence of her husband Jonathan Owens and her entire family, cheering, as she segues into the ‘legendary ranks’ of the sport.

Simone Biles’ family, including her husband grace the Arena for her performance

On the night of the women’s Team finals, Jonathon Owens was spotted noting down scores, while donning a Simone Biles t-shirt in the audience. In fact, via attaining special permission, the Chicago Bears star who should have been in camp, flew to Paris. Indeed, had he not, he would have missed two of Biles’ historic moments in actions. But, he never misses any opportunity to cheer for her, does he?

Well, just after Team USA clinched gold as a Team, Owens added an Instagram post from the celebratory events with Biles. With both of them posing for a beautiful picture, he wrote, “Witnessing history every time you step on the mat Congrats baby on becoming the most decorated American gymnast in Olympics history!!!! Just wow !!!! 8 of them!!!!! So thankful i was there to see.” Indeed, he wouldn’t have missed it for anything in the world. And similarly, for Simone Biles’ family. Her parents, sister Adria, and even her niece, Ronni are all in the City of Love to boost her spirits. And what they have all witnessed, is pure historic.