Simone Biles dazzles in Olympic return, fights through injury during qualifiers

July 28, 2024
Thanks to dominant performances from seven-time Olympic medalist Simone Biles (even through injury) and reigning all-around champ Sunisa Lee, Team USA women’s gymnastics leads all countries after yesterday’s team qualification.
Sports NewsGymnastics
Simone Biles dazzles in Olympic return, fights through injury during qualifiersSimone Biles dazzles in Olympic return, fights through injury during qualifiers
Source: Abbie Parr/AP Photo

The GIST: Thanks to dominant performances from seven-time Olympic medalist Simone Biles (even through injury) and reigning all-around champ Sunisa Lee, Team USA women’s gymnastics leads all countries after yesterday’s team qualification. Nothing holding them back.

Biles pushes through calf twinge, competes with joy: The GOAT gave fans a scare when she tweaked her calf while warming up for the floor but, after briefly leaving the competition for medical attention, returned with a taped-up leg and confidently completed her all-around program.

  • Though Biles appeared to limp slightly between events, she still shined, finishing with the top all-around score. Awe-inspiring.
  • Something we didn’t see yesterday? The highly anticipated new unique skill from Biles on the uneven bars. If she completes it, it’ll become the sixth skill named after her.

Lee triumphs in Olympic return: Lee finished third among all all-around competitors yesterday behind Biles and Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade, dazzling on the uneven bars (her signature event) and the beam — a glorious performance, especially considering the multiple kidney issues that nearly kept Lee from competing in Paris.

  • But before Biles and Lee go head-to-head in the all-around final on August 1st, they’ll combine forces once again in tomorrow’s 12:15 p.m. ET team final. Bring it on.