Simone Biles, widely regarded as the greatest gymnast of all time, will not be competing in the uneven bars final at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Despite her unparalleled skills and achievements in the sport, she did not qualify for this specific event.
Biles competed in the uneven bars during the individual all-around final but fell short of making it into the final for this apparatus. She finished in ninth place, which placed her just outside the top eight required to advance. In gymnastics, only the top eight athletes from the qualification rounds proceed to the finals, and Biles’s ninth-place finish means she is considered a reserve athlete for the uneven bars event.
The decision of which gymnasts advance to finals is based on their performance in the preliminary rounds, and Biles’s narrow miss by mere tenths of a point illustrates the highly competitive nature of the sport. Although her performance in the uneven bars was impressive, it wasn’t enough to secure a spot in the final lineup.
Interestingly, Biles did submit an original skill to the FIG Women’s Technical Committee for evaluation earlier in the competition. This skill is a variation of her already renowned Weiler half, incorporating a clear hip circle forward with 1.5 turns. Her innovation in this area highlights her ongoing contribution to the evolution of gymnastics routines, though it didn’t affect her qualification status for this particular event.
As of the latest updates, the only U.S. athlete in contention for a medal in the uneven bars final is Biles’ teammate Sunisa Lee, who has qualified for the event. Biles, who has already secured gold medals in Paris with her Team USA “Golden Girls” squad, will continue to support her teammates and contribute to the sport in other capacities.
While Biles’ absence from the uneven bars final is disappointing to many fans and observers, her legacy and influence on gymnastics continue to be immense. Her role in advancing the sport through new skills and routines remains significant, even if she isn’t competing in every event.
