Until Biles, no gymnast had won two Olympic all-around championships non-consecutively. Today’s medal is Biles’ ninth and sixth gold. The gold medal she won in the team final on Tuesday made her the most decorated American gymnast in the history of the Olympic Games, usurping “Magnificent Seven” star, Shannon Miller
Before Paris, Biles was already the most decorated gymnast in history from any country if you include her world championship medals in the tally. She now has 39 combined world and Olympic medals.
The gold hung in the balance after Biles had a major form break on the uneven bars, bending her legs on a transition from the high bar to the low, called a Pak salto.
Hanging onto the bar after that was an accomplishment. Biles received a sizable deduction, earning a 13.733, putting her behind Andrade as they made their way to the balance beam.
Despite occupying the bronze medal position after the halfway mark, Biles retained a difficulty advantage heading into beam and floor. She is the reigning world champion on both events and will also make an appearance in the Olympic event finals.
Biles gave a masterclass on the four-inch-wide beam, which has throttled many an Olympic dream. Andrade displayed some nerves there and trailed Biles heading into the final rotation, but hit a strong exercise to close out on floor.
