Simone Biles dazzled the audience at the Paris Games on Saturday, capturing her seventh Olympic Gold Medal in the women’s vault final. The 27-year-old gymnast showcased her extraordinary talent with an average score of 15.300 for her Yurchenko double pike and Cheng vaults. This victory marks her second gold in the event, eight years after her triumph in Rio de Janeiro. With this win, Biles joins Czechoslovakia’s Vera Caslavska as only the second woman to win vault gold twice, solidifying her status among the sport’s legends.
In a packed Bercy Arena, Biles delivered a breathtaking performance that could be her last in vault competition. Wearing a sequined red leotard, she executed her Yurchenko double pike flawlessly, albeit with a minor out-of-bounds penalty. Her commanding score of 15.700 ensured that her second vault, a near-perfect Cheng, clinched the gold, pushing her career Olympic medal count to ten, tying for the third-most by a female gymnast. Biles’s dominance at major international competitions now boasts a record 40 medals.
Anthony Volpe delivers grand slam, career-high five RBI in return as Yankees sweep Rockies Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade claimed the silver medal with an impressive average of 14.966, adding to her all-around silver and team bronze from the Paris Games. American Jade Carey, who redeemed herself from a slip in Tokyo, earned the bronze, adding to her previous Olympic floor exercise gold and team gold with Biles. As Biles eyes the balance beam and floor exercise finals on Monday, she has the chance to further extend her illustrious medal haul.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.