In a surprising turn of events, Simone Biles and Suni Lee, two of America’s gymnastics powerhouses, missed out on medals in the women’s balance beam final at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Both athletes experienced uncharacteristic falls during their routines, leading to a shocking and historic podium on Monday.
Simone Biles’ Performance
Performing an impressive routine, Biles stumbled and fell off the beam during her aerial series. This error resulted in a score of 13.1, placing her in fifth place. With this, Biles lost her chance to tie Larisa Latynina’s all-time Olympic gold medal record by a female American gymnast.
Suni Lee’s Performance
Suni Lee, considered a strong contender for a podium finish, also suffered a fall when her foot slipped after a series of flips. Like Biles, Lee received a score of 13.1, landing her in sixth place.
Medal Winners
With Biles and Lee out of the medal contention, Italy’s Alice D’Amato clinched gold with a precise performance, scoring 14.366. China’s Zhou Yaqin earned the silver medal, and Italy’s Manila Esposito secured the bronze.
The unexpected results in the women’s balance beam final marked a significant upset for the U.S. gymnastics team. Despite this, Simone Biles’ overall performance in Paris has been remarkable, having already won three medals in these Olympic Games.
