Simone Biles injures leg during Olympic gymnastics qualification, but still finishes first

PARIS — On her first day of competition at the 2024 Olympic Games, gymnast Simone Biles appeared to hurt her leg during a warm-up. The injury caused concern, but ultimately did not prevent her from completing her routines and finishing in first place.

After the game, Biles’ coach, Cecile Landi, downplayed the significance of the injury. “She felt something in her calf,” Landi said.

Despite the injury, Biles posted high scores, including a competition-high 15.8 on the vault. Along with strong performances from her teammates, it was enough to secure a spot for the U.S. women’s gymnastics team in the team all-around final on Tuesday, where the U.S. is favored to win gold. The individual all-around final is scheduled for Thursday.

There are no concerns “at this time” about Biles’ ability to participate in those events, Landi said.

Biles appeared to hurt her leg during a warm-up for the floor exercise, her second event of the night. After landing a pass, Biles gingerly walked off the mat, where she conferred with her coaches and then briefly disappeared from the floor. She then returned to have her ankle and lower leg wrapped in thick athletic tape.

Despite the injury, Biles completed her remaining routines and scored a high of 15.8 on the vault. “It was never in her mind” whether she would continue, Landi said.

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Expectations are high for Biles and the rest of the U.S. women’s gymnastics team at the Paris Olympics.

Biles, 27, is performing at the highest level of her career since returning to competition last year after a two-year hiatus. She is considered the favorite to win at least three individual gold medals, along with an all-around team gold medal for the U.S.

An injury could derail those aspirations. “First of all, I want to make sure she’s okay physically, and then we just move on,” said Chellsie Memmel, the women’s technical director. “What she’s been able to do, even though it looked like she had some pain or something in her lower leg, is remarkable.”

Biles had a brief problem with her calf earlier this month, Landi revealed. “Then it stopped. And then today it’s back a little bit,” Landi said. “Just a little bit of soreness in her calf.”

The U.S. women’s team finished their qualifying round in first place on the team rankings. Gymnasts Jordan Chiles and Sunisa Lee, the reigning gold medalist in the individual all-around, both finished about 3.5 points behind Biles.

“Their goal, that’s very clear, is to go home with a gold medal,” Memmel said.

In three of Sunday’s rounds, Biles performed last. As a result, while her competitors rested, she commanded the undivided attention of a crowd of about 15,000, many of whom — including celebrities Snoop Dogg, Tom Cruise and Anna Wintour — had come largely to see her.

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