Simone Biles wins second all-around Olympic gymnastics title, eight years after her first.

Simone Biles, the American gymnastics star, faced intense pressure during the Olympic all-around final as she trailed behind Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade and Algeria’s Kaylia Nemour after two rotations. Biles, visibly stressed and frustrated, had just made an unusual mistake on the uneven bars, a rare occurrence for her. Seated away from the action, she closed her eyes and tried to refocus, struggling to assess the damage with her teammate Sunisa Lee.

Despite being in third place, Biles received reassurance from her husband, Jonathan Owens, who encouraged her to stay calm. Biles, who had not faced such a close competition in years, found herself battling nerves. Yet, her composure returned, and she delivered a flawless performance on the balance beam and floor exercise. Biles’ balance beam routine scored 14.566, the highest of the night, and her floor routine, featuring unprecedented elements, secured her a gold medal, while Lee earned bronze.

This victory marked Biles’ second all-around Olympic title, making her only the third woman to achieve this feat after Larisa Latynina and Vera Caslavska. At 27, Biles has now accumulated nine Olympic medals, six of them gold. Her impact on the sport is profound, transforming gymnastics from its previous standards and earning her widespread admiration from various celebrities and athletes. Despite a hiccup on the uneven bars and a major deduction, Biles’ exceptional performances in her final routines cemented her legacy as the sport’s greatest of all time, reflected in her “GOAT” necklace.

Biles’ perseverance and skill showcased her ability to overcome challenges and remain at the pinnacle of gymnastics, even when competition is fierce.