A tough task lies ahead for the USA’s women’s gymnastics team in the French capital. To ensure Simone Biles & Co. have their heads in the game, their Olympic journey was flagged off earlier today at the World Championship Centre in Texas. The US Olympics Team Trials was just a trailer of what’s to come: a swarth of blistering performances from stars hailing from all four corners of the world, and the 2024 WCC Olympic send-off could be the reminder to Biles and her colleagues for what’s at stake.
In a series of stories on Instagram, the official account of the gymnastics training center shared how coaches, including Nellie Kim and Cecile Landi, expressed their appreciation of the grit and hard work put on display by the Olympic-qualified gymnasts. Landi, Biles’ long-time coach, could be heard sharing her admiration for the athletes poised to represent the USA.
“We are so honored,” said Landi as Biles and her teammates Jordan Chiles, Joscelyn Roberson, and Hezly Rivera beam in pride. The Olympians were joined by a large group of young and rising gymnasts who looked on at the national representatives and Kim and Landi did their part to instill in them the same kind of drive that has helped Chiles and the others to make their mark on the highest levels of competition.
As the little ones grooved to Queen’s Another One Bites the Dust, Roberson and Rivera were spotted having their share of the fun as well. Soon everyone got settled down, and the five-time Olympic gold medalist herself, Kim took the microphone to wish the Olympians good luck for their challenges ahead.
However, Landi seemed to be the more emotional one on the night. “…just watching you and your resilience has been incredible. I love your dedication and work ethic,” Ceciel almost failed to keep a hold of her quivering heart. The WCC also held a prayer circle for the Olympians to hope for the best at the upcoming Paris Games. However, while the event was a heartwarming one all around, the special connection between Simone and her coach remained a constant but salient feature of the entire humdrum.
Landi has always been a rock that her student could always fall back on in times of need. While Simone’s capabilities are probably known best by her coach, Landi has never been too far away when the former attempted the dangerous Yurchenkco Double Pike. The decision has always resulted in a points deduction for Biles, and only recently did she first attempt it at the Core Hydration Classic in May this year. Even at the WCC send-off, Cecile made use of the opportunity to make it clear once again the pride she felt seeing Simone dominate every responsibility thrown her way.
Cecile’s dedication to Simone and the USA’s Olympic dream is so fervent, that she even rejected an offer by the University of Georgia in order to aid the Olympians on their golden quest for the Paris Games. As the gymnasts felt the joy of being gifted unique Olympic hampers and custom apparel at the WCC, we hope the love and support they received would help them to find that extra kick to the system and add yet another gold to the USA’s cap on the grandest stage in the most emphatic way possible.
