Simone Biles solidified her status as the greatest of all time (GOAT) in gymnastics, clinching her second Olympic all-around title and sixth overall gold medal in Paris.
The 27-year-old American made history as the oldest winner of the sport’s most coveted event in 72 years, surpassing a record held since 1952.
Biles’ triumphant performance at the Bercy Arena was met with adoration from a star-studded crowd, as she donned a sparkling goat necklace to celebrate her victory.
“It’s a little ode… a lot of people love it. They always call me the GOAT, so I thought it would be really special if I got one made,” she said.
“The haters hate it, but I like that even more. It’s just a special part of me that I have here.
“In the [athletes’] village I have a stuffed goat. Just to get a reminder, like ‘You can go out there, you can do it. You’ve done it before. So let’s go’.”
Biles’ remarkable achievement marks a milestone in her sport, as she becomes the first gymnast to win non-consecutive all-around Olympic titles.
Her longevity in a grueling sport typically dominated by teenagers is a testament to her dedication and perseverance.
The previous 12 Olympic all-around women’s champions were teenagers, making Biles’ victory all the more extraordinary.
How Biles won her latest gold
Simone Bilesheaded for gold from the start, kicking off with her signature ‘Biles II’ vault – the most challenging in women’s gymnastics.
Although she stuttered on the uneven bars, her bold opening helped in maintaining her lead.
As she transitioned to the balance beam, Biles dug deep, executing a routine that defied gravity and sent the crowd into a frenzy.
Her score of 14.566 propelled her back to the top of the standings.
With a slim lead of 0.166 going into the final rotation, Biles delivered a flawless floor exercise, showcasing her incredible skills to secure a total score of 59.131.
The packed arena exploded in applause as she took the top spot, finishing an impressive 1.199 ahead of silver medalist Rebeca Andrade.
Great Britain’s Alice Kinsella and Georgia-Mae Fenton also made notable performances, placing 12th and 18th respectively, after significant improvements from their qualifying rounds.
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