Watch Simone Biles not back down even after being injured during the Paris Olympics qualification round on Sunday.
The seven-time Olympic medalist had started with a solid routine on the balance beam, scoring 14.733. However, she sustained an injury on her left calf during warm-ups and had to be evaluated by the team doctor, Marcia Faustin.
Biles was later seen returning to the competition with her leg heavily taped.
Despite this setback, she still managed to post the top all-around score of 59.566. The highest in international competition this Olympic cycle. She also secured the highest scores on vault (15.300) and floor exercise (14.600).
U.S. coach Cecile Landi was pleased with the outcome of course. Addressing the injury Simone Biles had sustained, she said, “We told her to remind herself like she’s capable of doing it. She knows she’s got it and it’s OK and then she did.” Landi also described the issue as minor and didn’t seem concerned about Biles’ ability to compete in upcoming events.
The U.S. team, featuring Biles, Sunisa Lee, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, and Hezly Rivera, finished first in qualifications with a total score of 172.296, over five points ahead of second-place Italy.
Defending Olympic all-around champion Lee overcame a shaky start on the beam to deliver a strong performance on uneven bars. She successfully secured her spot in the all-around final and is currently sitting second behind Biles with a score of 56.132.
The competition also saw notable performances from international competitors, including Algeria’s Kaylia Nemour, who leads on uneven bars with a score of 15.600.