The women’s gymnastics team final at the Paris 2024 Olympics was filled with excitement and drama. Simone Biles and Team USA were strong contenders, aiming for gold. Here’s a detailed look at the event as it unfolded.
Early Challenges
The competition started with the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) taking the lead after the first rotation. Team USA was in second place. Simone Biles scored a 13.766 on vault, performing a Yurchenko 3/2 twist, but she landed awkwardly. This put Team USA in a challenging position, trailing ROC by over a point.
Simone Biles Withdraws
In a surprising turn, Biles withdrew from the competition after her vault routine, citing a medical issue. This unexpected development meant that Team USA had to rely on Grace McCallum, Suni Lee, and Jordan Chiles for the remaining events.
Uneven Bars Performance
Suni Lee gave Team USA a significant boost with a score of 15.400 on the uneven bars, the highest score on that apparatus at the Olympics so far. Grace McCallum and Jordan Chiles also contributed solid performances, keeping Team USA in the race for a medal.
Balance Beam Struggles
The balance beam was crucial. Suni Lee posted a 14.133, putting Team USA in a narrow lead over ROC. However, Jordan Chiles had a fall, scoring 11.700, which allowed ROC to regain the lead. The competition was intense, with each routine significantly impacting the standings.
Final Rotation: Floor Exercises
The final rotation on the floor exercises was decisive. Suni Lee finished with a score of 13.666, but ROC’s Viktoriia Listunova secured a 14.166, clinching the gold for ROC.