Athlete is first Hmong
American to represent US at OlympicsBrazil’s Rebeca Andrade wins silver, GB’s Jessica Gadirova is 10thSimone Biles stands at just 4ft 8in tall yet her presence has loomed large over gymnastics for what feels like an eternity. Since 2013, she has won the women’s all-around title every single occasion she has been present. Over time, second place had become the only realistic goal for which any other gymnast could strive.
And so, in the wake of Biles’ withdrawal from the all-around competition in Tokyo, the only question to be answered as the rest of the world marched on to the arena was how the top gymnasts would react to this new experience of having a gold medal clearly within reach.