As the eyes of the whole world were on her, Simone Biles didn't shake.

The American superstar, weakened by a loss of confidence and a phenomenon of loss of bearings in space, made his return, Tuesday, August 3, in the women's gymnastics event.

After a week's break, the legend of the discipline finally won the bronze medal with a score of 14,000 points.

The event was won by Chinese Guan Chenchen, her compatriot Tang Xijing finished second.

The American Simone Biles, stopped for a week, switched to the beam today during the women's gymnastics final at the Tokyo Olympics, obtaining a score of 14,000 points #AFP #AFPSports # Tokyo2020 pic.twitter. com / oIBuWJxX1h

- Agence France-Presse (@afpfr) August 3, 2021

A medal with a taste of gold

Simone Biles did her workout without a hitch, but with a less spectacular outing than she usually does, without spins.

The phenomenon of "loss of face" which causes it to lose its bearings in space, is particularly problematic on rear acrobatics comprising twists according to specialists. 

The quadruple Olympic champion in 2016, 19 times world champion had surprised by leaving the final of the all-around team competition after a single jump last Tuesday. She then withdrew for the final of the individual all-around, then for those of vault, uneven bars and floor. At 24, for her second Olympics, she is experiencing a decline in self-confidence.

The sportswoman regularly publishes her moods on social networks.

"I have the right to have limits and not to feel bad (to have them, editor's note)", one could read in the caption of a drawing published on Sunday.

A few days ago, she posted a video showing her falling during uneven bars and explaining what the phenomenon of "twisties" consists of which makes her lose her ability to find her bearings in space and can lead to a accident. 

See this post on Instagram

A post shared by Simone Biles (@simonebiles)

After having had a problem with the jump in the final of the all-around team, which had led her to give up during the competition, she explained with great frankness having to "face her demons" and preserve her sanity after having been under a lot of pressure to succeed in recent weeks. The Texan has already overcome many trials. She was adopted by her biological grandparents because her mother was an alcoholic and drug addict. And in 2018, she revealed to have been one of the victims of doctor Larry Nassar, convicted of sexual assault on dozens of young American gymnasts.

Simone Biles had been touted as "THE" star of the Tokyo Games for months, with magazine covers and TV spots.

The beam final was the last on the women's artistic gymnastics program.

It was therefore the last chance to see the American champion again on the Tokyo apparatus.

With AFP

The summary of the week

France 24 invites you to come back to the news that marked the week

I subscribe

Take international news everywhere with you!

Download the France 24 application

google-play-badge_FR