Simone Biles’ Coach Cecile Landi on Separation With Gymnastics Star and WCC After Paris Olympics 2024: “Time for Me to Move On”

“When I left France, they told me I was going to fail. I was not going to make it,” stated Simone Biles’ coach, Cecile Landi, back in 2023 while sharing how she found her haven in America. In 2017, she joined the World Champions Centre and has been training gymnasts to ace their routines ever since. Above all, she helped Biles throughout her journey, supporting her through thick and thin, especially overcoming her ‘twisties’ at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. However, for Landi, it seems like the end of an era, as she is all set to bid goodbye to WCC after the 2024 Paris Olympics.

As the USA gymnastics team prepares for the Olympics trials, Landi spoke to Gymnastics Now, reminiscing about her time at WCC. And clearly, this is an emotional moment for not only the coach but also those who she has been associated with. “I don’t think I can do any better than the group I have. It’s a good time for me to move on,“ she said. With her decision, the renowned coach’s tenure comes to an end and a new chapter as co-head coach at the University of Georgia begins.

Landi’s impressive tenure at WCC has culminated in her move to collegiate gymnastics. A generation of gymnasts, including Simone Biles, renowned for their abilities, were shaped by her influence at WCC. She remarked, “They’re good kids—all together, cheering for each other, wanting the best,” highlighting the closeness and connection among them.

Before leaving WCC, Landi has a big task at hand—helping Biles fulfill her Olympic dream, which was halted in Tokyo. With the all-around winner at this week’s trials in Minneapolis guaranteed a spot at the Paris Olympics, Simone Biles looks poised to join Muriel Grossfeld, Linda Metheny, and Dominique Dawes as the only American women gymnasts to compete in three Olympic Games. However, coach Cecile Landi is confident about Biles’ chances and she couldn’t have asked for a better end to her WCC story.

As this milestone approaches, Biles is benefitting from her efforts outside the gym to maintain her mental balance amid the pressure of being considered the greatest of all time, coach Cecile Landi told reporters during a pre-trials training day on Wednesday.

“She’s calm, she laughs, she’s back to her sometimes goofy self that we had missed a few times,” Landi said, before mentioning, “She has a few tools that are personal to her, which help her stay calm and remember why she’s here and how to think positively.” 

Landi noted that she has seen Biles’s confidence grow even since the world championships last October. “I think even at worlds she was confident, but I don’t think it was where she is this year,” Landi said. “I think it’s just taken a little more time on that end,” she further added.

Cecile Landi’s thoughts amid the move

Cecile Landi will serve as co-head coach alongside Ryan Roberts, who has been a Georgia assistant for the past two seasons. Meanwhile, Landi’s partner will remain at the World Champions Centre for the next year, allowing their daughter to finish high school. “Throughout my life, gymnastics has provided me some extraordinary opportunities. Those experiences have helped me become the coach that I am while putting athlete’s well-being first and helping them reach their full potential,” the 44-year-old coach stated.

Since 2017, Simone Biles has received coaching from Landi. The relationship between the two transcends the barriers of coach and trainee. For Simone Biles, Cecile has always been a person standing by her side, no matter what. So, when Landi landed this opportunity of a lifetime, Biles couldn’t be more excited, as her Instagram Story, congratulating her coach, read, “Congratulations Cecile, I can’t think of a more deserving person. Can’t wait to see what the future holds for UGA Gymnastics! Ya’ll are in GREAT hands!”

Landi’s coaching career is one for the history books. Apart from coaching Biles to numerous accolades, including a Bronze at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, and numerous gold medals in World Championships events, she has also coached another Olympic gymnast, Madison Kocian. Also under her training was UCLA’s Jordan Chiles, former Florida gymnast Alyssa Baumann, LSU’s Amari Drayton, Arkansas commit Jocelyn Roberson, among others.

For now, though, Landi is excited to bring her principles and coaching philosophy to the University of Georgia. “I am thrilled for the opportunity to be the new co-head coach of the GymDogs with Ryan. I am looking forward to working with the team in the near future!” she exclaimed. This change is more than just a new job; it’s a chance to mentor and encourage a new group of gymnasts.