Gold medals galore for team GB after the first week of the Olympic Games, but there is one athlete that is the most captivating to watch. Simone Biles of the United States is going for five gold medals in Rio de Janeiro, having already secured three golds in the Team All-around, Individual All-around and the women’s vault.
On Monday 15th August, she performed on the beam, with the final event on the floor tonight, Tuesday 16th August.
Judging events is always difficult to decipher as a spectator, but it is evident that Simone is in a league of her own. After watching the other world-class gymnasts perform their floor routines in the all-around individual competition, Simone then performs to a level that can only be described as super-human. She is a tiny powerhouse, with the ability to explode into the air to twice her height, sticking the landings after multiple turns and spins. Even though she is only 4ft 8 inches, she is head and shoulders above her competitors.
Her upbringing is just as captivating. Her grandfather, Ronald, adopted Simone, the third of four children, along with her younger sister. Her mother was unable to care for her and her siblings, due to an alcohol and drug addiction. Ronald’s sister adopted Simone’s older two siblings.
Simone is only 19 years of age, but she is the most decorated World Champion gymnast in history. She has a total of 14 World Championship medals, 10 of them are gold. If you tune in to one event during this two-week spell of sporting excellence, make it the women’s gymnastics floor event tonight, Tuesday 16th August. You will witness what promises to be a significant moment in Olmypic gymnastics and sporting history.
What events have you been captivated by in Rio de Janeiro? Share with us – @tweetjanes.