β¨ Bilesβ Epic Vault Performance
Simone Biles has done it again! The gymnastics queen soared to win her seventh Olympic gold medal in the womenβs vault final at the 2024 Paris Games, cementing her place as a true legend in the sport. π
π« Medalists of the Vault Final
- Gold: Simone Biles (USA)
- Silver: Rebeca Andrade (Brazil)
- Bronze: Jade Carey (USA)
π Historic Achievement
With her signature Biles II vaultβthe Yurchenko double pikeβBiles dazzled the crowd and judges alike. This complex move, infamous for its difficulty and risks, was the same one that caused her issues at the Tokyo Olympics, forcing her to withdraw from many events.
But on Saturday, Biles nailed it. Her flawless execution earned her a score of 15.700, ensuring her gold despite a minor deduction for a small out-of-bounds step. Her second vault, the Cheng (Biles I), was nearly perfect, pushing her score to an unassailable lead. This victory makes Biles the second woman ever to win gold in vault twice, joining Czechoslovakiaβs Vera Caslavska (1964, 1968).
Biles now boasts a total of 10 Olympic medals, tying her for the third most by any female gymnast and extending her record to 40 major international medals.
π₯ Rebeca Andrade & π₯ Jade Carey
- Rebeca Andrade: The Brazilian gymnast, defending champion from Tokyo, took silver with an impressive average score of 14.966. Andrade’s vaults, including a solid Cheng, showcased her exceptional skills.
- Jade Carey: Carey, who finished eighth in the vault final at Tokyo, redeemed herself with a bronze in Paris. This adds to her collection of Olympic medals, including a floor exercise gold and a team gold.
π Whatβs Next for Biles?
- Aug. 5 – Womenβs Balance Beam Finals: 6:36 a.m. ET/3:36 a.m. PT
- Aug. 5 – Womenβs Floor Exercise Finals: 8:20 a.m. ET/5:20 a.m. PT
Despite her impressive vault win, Biles wonβt compete in the uneven bars due to qualifying as a reserve athlete. Sheβs set to focus on her remaining events.
I love my black job π€ https://t.co/c5wPc6xOY3
— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) August 2, 2024
π A Legendary Career
Bilesβ return to the top of gymnastics with this vault victory reaffirms her status as one of the greatest athletes of all time. Her performance in Paris not only adds to her illustrious career but also provides a thrilling spectacle for fans worldwide.
Stay tuned for more updates as Simone Biles continues to shine at the 2024 Paris Olympics! π