What to watch at the gymnastics in Paris
Paris CNN —
As competition gets well and truly underway in Paris, all eyes will turn shortly to one of the Olympic Games’ signature sports: Gymnastics.
The sport has created some of the most iconic moments in Olympic history and made household names of its stars.
Among the top highlights of the first week, expect a raucous atmosphere at the Bercy Arena. Here’s what to watch:
Simone Biles seeks redemption
The leader of the gymnastics’ edition of the “Redeem Team” – originally used to describe the 2008 edition of Team USA’s men’s basketball team – is out for a little redemption herself.
Biles’ shocking case of “the twisties” in Tokyo three years ago was the standout story from the 2020 Olympic Games, putting a spotlight on mental health issues and reminding the world that even the sport’s greatest athlete can have a catastrophic moment on the world stage.
Biles comes to Paris aiming to wash away the disappointment of that Games, and has been on an absolute tear heading into Paris. She’ll be debuting a new original element, to be named for her, on the uneven bars, looking for an edge in her weakest event.
While her place as one of the greatest gymnasts in history is cemented, the 27-year-old can become the oldest American gymnast to win an Olympic medal in generations and lock in a legacy that will be hard to surpass.
Suni Lee aims to repeat
Biles’ teammate Suni Lee is also looking to do something that’s not been done in decades: Repeat as women’s all-around champion.
When Biles withdrew from competition in Tokyo, Lee stepped up for Team USA and took home the gold with a stunning performance. She returns in Paris looking to match the feat of Czechoslovak gymnast Vera Caslavska in 1964 and 1968.
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