Simone Biles dazzled on her Olympics return as the world’s most decorated gymnast showed she was back to her best three years after suffering the “twisties”.
The American, who has 37 world and Olympic medals, pulled out of several events at the Tokyo Games with the disorientating mental block, and many wondered if she would compete again. But after a two-year break she came back and set her sights on Paris.
She had won more world medals since Tokyo, introduced a new skill and looked sharp in training, but no-one really knew what to expect when she entered the Bercy Arena to an eruption of cheers, with A-list celebrities in the stads and a global television audience of millions.
But we soon found out.
An acrobatic beam routine came before an energetic floor routine that featured one of the five skills named after her. Then she delivered her big Biles II vault but decided not to attempt the new skill she is planning on uneven bars.
It was not all smooth, though, as she required strapping on her ankle before her floor routine. She seemed in discomfort afterwards, limping a little, but still went on to top the standings in the all-around qualifying with three sub-divisions to go.
When her bars dismount marked the end of her work for the day, it was then that it was clear what this had meant to her as the joy swept her face and she waved at the crowd before hugging her team-mates.
More to follow.
