2023-08-08 05:24:31
It was one of the most anticipated comebacks of the year. After two years away from the floor, Simone Biles has returned to competition in the United States. Above all, the quadruple Olympic champion splashed her talent at the US Classic, the annual summer meeting of American gymnasts.
For her first competition since the Tokyo Olympics, where she had to give up most events, Biles won the all-around with a total of 59.100 points. “Tears of joy as I make this return, surrounded by the love you have shown me, she wrote afterwards on social networks. Thank you for believing in me”.
A 19-time gold medalist at the World Championships, the American first shone on the uneven bars, where she received a mark of 14.000 points, the third best score of the competition. She then took first place on beam (14.800 points). His run, long acclaimed by the Chicago crowd, was rewarded with a score of 14.900, the best of the competition. Finally, she also won the jumping event (15.400 points) with a performance whose height and impeccable landing betrayed nothing of her long absence.
“It was a great feeling, especially after everything that happened last year, commented the 26-year-old gymnast, who had chosen not to attempt the most risky figures for her return. All those who supported me, who had made posters, all that in the public, it melted my heart to know that they still believe in me.
“I still have to follow my therapy”
For the time being, Simone Biles has not yet announced whether she intends to participate in the Paris Olympics next year, but the US Classic could be a first step in this direction.
“We are still working on it,” replied the American, when asked about Paris 2024. “My main objective was that (the US Classic), then the (national) championships, and after that we will plan for the worlds. (in October in Antwerp), then we will see”.
At Tokyo 2021, Biles had to withdraw from most events for mental health and safety reasons. She had explained in particular to suffer from “twists”, these loss of bearings in space. “What is most frightening is that now I have no idea where I am in the air, or how which or on which part of my body – head, hands, feet , back -, I’m going to land,” she said at the time. Despite everything, she had managed to line up in the beam event, where, with a “lighter” sequence, she had won the bronze medal.
Today, the gymnast says she still follows therapy to help her “manage the mental aspect” of her daily life. “So far we are going in the right direction but I still have to work on myself. I still have to go to my therapy. I will think of myself first, ”she insisted.
De Jesus Dos Santos back on the four apparatus
Exiled to the United States for a little over a year where she has been trained, like Simone Biles, by the French duo Cécile and Laurent Landi, Mélanie De Jesus Dos Santos has also made her return to the four apparatus. Lined up outside the competition, she achieved the second total of points in the competition with a score of 56.200 points. ” It was hard ! I had forgotten how hard it was. Physically and mentally. But it’s my job,” she told from the newspaper L’Equipe after the competition.
The Frenchwoman, European all-around champion in 2019, had to undergo knee surgery last December. “I deserve a little success. Lately, I had mainly accumulated counter-performances and, in terms of morale, it was hard, ”she admitted, finally reassured by this return to competition.
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