Simone Biles took the lead with the top women’s gymnastics score at the U.S. Olympic Trials on Friday night, stunning the crowd and viewers at home with a jaw-dropping performance.
The five-time Olympic medalist, celebrated as the greatest gymnast of all time, completed the first day of the women’s competition in St. Louis with an all-around score of 60.565. Her performance included a dazzling floor exercise, which earned her a score of 15.366 — the highest floor exercise score of the night.
Biles also had the highest scores on the vault and balance beam, receiving 15.466 and 15.133, respectively. The gymnastics champion performed her signature move dubbed “The Biles,” a double-double dismount, during her beam and floor routines.
Her display on Friday night, understandably, set social media abuzz:
“I was super excited going into this one,” Biles said on Friday, according to The Associated Press. “I know exactly what to expect.”
Biles, who left the 2016 Olympics with four gold medals, said she’s “a lot more emotional this time around, which is so crazy.” Her other teammates have asked if she’s OK when she’s teared up during this year’s Olympic trials, which were delayed a year due to the pandemic.
“I’m fine,” she said. “It’s just like, I can’t believe the time is here. It’s been five years and I’m grateful.”
Biles tweeted her appreciation on Saturday for all the supportive messages she received after Friday’s competition.
“Thanks for all the love, support and encouraging messages,” she wrote. “You guys are the best. I truly appreciate it! LOVE YALL.”
The women’s competition will conclude on Sunday. The top two all-around finishers will automatically qualify for the four-person Olympic team, which will compete in Tokyo beginning next month. Biles is already a lock to make Team USA.
