Simone Biles makes a successful start to the Olympic Games - despite a calf injury.
28.07.2024, 20:20
28.07.2024, 20:38
SDA
Biles scored 59.566 points in the all-around qualifying round, impressively underlining the US superstar's status as favorite. However, the 27-year-old American is performing in Paris with a minor injury.
Cheered on by celebrities such as Tom Cruise, Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande and Snoop Dogg, Biles returned to the podium after her floor exercise with a bandaged left foot for her vaults and was limping. Despite the obvious restriction, she started normally and performed her "Biles II", the most difficult vault in women's gymnastics.
Afterwards, the four-time Olympic champion also competed on the uneven bars and was celebrated by the spectators in the packed Arena Bercy. Coach Cecile Landi gave the all-clear afterwards. "It's just a little pain in my calf." Stopping the program due to the problems was not an issue at all, Landi emphasized.
Lena Bickel, the only Swiss gymnast and the youngest member of the Swiss Olympic delegation, failed to qualify for the all-around final despite achieving a personal best. After completing four of five series, the 19-year-old from Ticino is 31st and outside the top 24.
