ST. LOUIS – Despite falling during her balance beam routine, Spring’s Simone Biles recovered on the final night of the U.S. Olympic trials in St. Louis to show exactly why she is the greatest of all time, qualifying for another Olympics.
“(I am) very relieved that Olympic Trials is over,” Biles said after the competition. “We still have a lot of work to put in once we get over there.”
Biles’ night started off on the vault and she did not disappoint. She earned the highest score of the night in that routine. Biles then performed well on the uneven bars, which she has always said is her least favorite event, but then came the moment that shocked the entire arena.
Simone started off strong on the beam but then fell off after her first few passes. Biles said she was not pleased with her second night of competition.
“It just kinda sucks because I’m getting older. It’s getting a little bit scarier,” she said. “But it’s also like, I get up and I’m like, ‘Oh I haven’t fallen on beam all week,’ and then, of course, get up there and do that. It’s just like annoying.”
Despite the setback, in true champion fashion, Biles rose to the occasion and earn the highest score of the night in the floor exercise. Biles received a standing ovation as she left the floor.
Her training partner and close friend Jordan Chiles also made the Olympic squad after one of the most consistent performances of the trials. Chiles received her own ovation after her floor exercise.
“Being on this team with (Biles) is definitely something that I never thought would even happen in my life,” she said. “But it’s definitely a big dream for me.”
Biles was one of the youngest gymnasts at the 2016 Olympics in Rio. At 24 she says she is embracing her role as the leader of the team headed to Tokyo.
