A third-place finish on the beam was not her greatest gymnastics performance, but after her devastating mental struggles in Tokyo, it could be the Olympic medal that makes Simone Biles the most emotional in 20 years.
A week ago, a case of the twisties threatened her elite gymnastics career. On Tuesday, the 24-year-old returned to compete on the beam—for a medal, but most importantly, for herself.
The first Māori athlete ever to win Olympic gold, the 32-year-old kayaker competing in a grueling four-event slate at the Tokyo Olympics, as she aims to win at least three gold medals to become New Zealand's most decorated Olympian ever.