Simone Biles has already said “Bonjour” clinching her ticket to the Paris Olympics! After topping the All-Around standings at the US Olympic trials with a two-day score of 117.225. The decorated gymnast, heading to her third Olympics, aims to break records. With just one medal in Paris, she could surpass Shannon Miller as the most decorated American Olympic gymnast in history, boasting seven Olympic medals, including four golds, and potentially setting a new record for the most Olympic gold medals by an American gymnast.

At 27 years old, Simone could become the oldest women’s all-around Olympic gold medalist in 72 years, the oldest American woman to win an Olympic gymnastics medal in 76 years, and possibly the oldest to win Olympic gold in gymnastics in 60 years. However, despite nearing these milestones, several gymnasts from around the world will challenge her dominance. Who poses the greatest challenge to Simone Biles at the Paris Olympics?

1. Rebeca Andrade

Rebeca Andrade is a powerhouse in gymnastics and one of Simone Biles’ primary rivals at the Paris Olympics. Andrade’s rise began at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where she made history as the first South American woman to podium in the all-around, securing a silver medal behind Team USA’s Sunisa Lee. Her achievements continued with gold on the vault, marking a historic first for Brazilian women in Olympic gymnastics.

Her success continued at the World Championships: in 2021, she claimed gold on the vault and uneven bars, followed by an all-around title in 2022. At the 2023 World Championships, Andrade outshone Simone Biles in her specialty, the vault, securing a gold medal. The 25-year-old Andrade remained a formidable competitor, earning silver medals in the all-around and floor exercises, showcasing her consistency and prowess across multiple events.

Despite their rivalry, the two have frequently stood together on the podium, propelling each other to new heights. Andrade has voiced her admiration for Biles and her desire for a spirited competition in Paris, stating, “It’s about doing my best, and I hope [Biles] does, too, that she does her best because it’s an honor to be able to compete alongside her.”

2. Kaylia Nemour

At just 17 years old, Kaylia Nemour is making a name for herself in gymnastics as a formidable rival to Simone Biles. She made history as the first African gymnast to medal at the World Championships, securing silver on the uneven bars in 2023. This landmark achievement set the stage for her impressive performances in 2024, where she excelled in the World Cup series. Nemour started the year strong by winning gold on the uneven bars at the World Cups in Cottbus, Baku, and Doha.

Her dynamic routines on the bars have consistently earned her high scores, establishing her as a top contender for gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Nemour’s dominance on the uneven bars is so impressive that reigning Olympic champion Nina Derwael commented, “It’s beautiful what she does. I don’t think anyone will take the gold from her in Paris.”

Nemour’s versatility was evident beyond the uneven bars; she also earned a bronze on the floor exercise in Baku and a silver on the balance beam in Doha, showcasing her all-around talent and making her a formidable competitor for Biles.

3. Becky Downie

Becky Downie, like Biles, is poised for a remarkable return to the Olympic stage. At 32, she aims to make history as a significant rival to Simone Biles at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Downie is set to potentially become the oldest women’s all-around Olympic gold medalist in 72 years and the oldest woman to win Olympic gold in gymnastics in 60 years. Becky’s career has been a journey of highs and lows, starting as a teenager at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and evolving into a pillar of British gymnastics.

Throughout her career, she has accumulated an impressive array of medals, including three golds at the European Championships and a silver at the World Championships. Her mastery of the uneven bars, where she has a skill named after her, and her resilience have distinguished her as one of the sport’s luminaries. In 2024, Becky was chosen to represent Great Britain at the Paris Olympics, marking her third Olympic appearance. Competing alongside gymnasts like Simone Biles, Suni Lee, and Rebeca Andrade, Becky’s objective is clear: to conclude her career on her own terms and potentially secure her first Olympic medal.

Simone Biles’ top contenders on each apparatus at the Paris Olympics

Besides these athletes, numerous top contenders have emerged from the FIG’s Artistic Gymnastics Apparatus World Cup series, poised to challenge her on every apparatus. Here’s an overview of her primary rivals and their scores:

 Vault:

1. An Chang Ok (PRK) has consistently landed on the podium with scores around the mid-14s, securing silver in Doha with an impressive average of 13.783.
2. Valentina Georgieva (BUL), another frequent podium finisher, typically scores in the mid-13s and claimed the vault title in Doha with a 13.799 average.

 Uneven Bars:

1. Georgia-Rose Brown (NZL) has been a consistent performer, scoring around 13.500 and solidifying her Olympic berth with a strong 70 points in qualification.
2. Levi Ruivivar (PHI), who scored 13.800 for silver in Doha, earned her first World Cup medal, establishing herself as a formidable contender.

 Balance Beam:

1. Nina Derwael (BEL), boasting a perfect 90 points in the World Cup series, frequently scores in the high 13s to low 14s, making her a formidable presence on the beam.
2. Ting Hua-Tien (TPE), who consistently scores in the mid-13s, earned her spot through strong and consistent performances.

 Floor Exercise:

1. Charlize Moerz (AUT), scoring in the high 13s, secured qualification with 80 points, showcasing her floor exercise prowess.
2. Laura Casabuena (ESP), often scoring in the mid-13s, earned her Olympic berth with a bronze in Doha.

These gymnasts achieved high scores and podium finishes throughout the World Cup series, positioning them as serious contenders against Simone Biles in Paris. As we consider these global gymnastics icons, which competitor do you see as Simone Biles’ greatest rival at the Paris Olympics? Share your thoughts in the comments below!