• Flavia Saraiva competed with a bandaged face and won a historic medal for Brazil.
• Simone Biles fought through pain to lead the U.S. team to gold.
• Shilese Jones missed her Olympic dream due to a severe knee injury.

Flavia Saraiva’s resilience shone brightly at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Despite suffering an injury that left her with a black eye, she competed valiantly and secured a bronze medal for her team. Her dedication and courage captured the admiration of fans and fellow athletes alike.

Simone Biles achieved her fifth Olympic gold medal by leading the United States to victory in the women’s gymnastics team final on July 30, 2024, at the Bercy Arena.

The U.S. team, comprising Biles, Sunisa Lee, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, and Hezly Rivera, returned to the Olympic podium with a dominant performance.

They scored a combined total of 171.296, almost six points ahead of Italy, who secured their first artistic gymnastics medal in 96 years. Brazil earned bronze with 164.497 points, narrowly edging out Great Britain by 0.234 points.

Three years after settling for silver at the Tokyo Olympics, where Biles withdrew due to “the twisties,” the American team reestablished their dominance in the sport. Their all-around strong performance across all four disciplines earned them team gold for the third time in the last four Summer Games.

The U.S. team, the oldest ever assembled for the Olympics, dazzled in sequined red, white, and blue leotards. They celebrated together when the final scores were revealed, even though the result had been certain for some time.

Biles, considered the face of the Olympics, was the standout performer as the Americans secured their ninth consecutive medal in the team event and their fourth women’s team gold in Olympic history.

When Biles took the floor for her final routine, the victory was already assured. Performing to Taylor Swift’s “Ready for It?,” she stepped out of bounds twice but executed her tumbling passes with precision. The crowd erupted in applause when her score of 14.666 was announced.

The entire U.S. team, including Rivera, the youngest member who did not compete in the final, was elated with their performance. Rivera will still take home a gold medal for her contributions.

The team celebrated their triumph in front of a lively, star-studded audience, including Nicole Kidman, Natalie Portman, Serena Williams, Michael Phelps, and Spike Lee.

Biles’ husband, Jonathan Owens, an NFL player with the Chicago Bears, also cheered from the stands. Despite several injuries among the gymnasts, their determination and perseverance allowed them to continue competing at the highest level.

Flavia Saraiva’s Unwavering Spirit

On July 30, 2024, during the women’s team final, Flavia Saraiva suffered a fall on the uneven bars just minutes before the competition began. Yet, she pushed through the pain and competed with a bandaged face with a black eye, helping Brazil achieve their first-ever team medal in women’s gymnastics.

A social media user applauded her bravery, giving her a shout-out on X stating that even though she “took a nasty spill” during warmups, she still delivered an “amazing routine.” “She’s a different kinda star,” the user added.

Saraiva’s performance was instrumental in Brazil’s success. Competing on all four events alongside Rebeca Andrade, she helped her team edge out Great Britain by a mere 0.234 points to secure the bronze. This historic achievement came after Brazil’s fourth-place finish in the qualification round.

Saraiva, who has competed in the 2016 and 2020 Olympics, battled back from her second ankle surgery in 2023. Despite doubts and injuries, she delivered some of the best performances of her career.

Her efforts contributed to Brazil’s first team medal at the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships, where she also won individual bronze on the floor exercise.

Reflecting on her journey, Saraiva said every time she returned, she felt something different, as she experienced another foot injury. She asked herself what her year would be like each time because of such instances.

“Many people know, but I wanted to stop training. I said, ‘What am I doing here?’ I can’t compete in my best form. I always want to be among the best,” said the Olympian.

Saraiva’s perseverance paid off. At the Pan American Games in Santiago, she won five medals, including four silvers and one bronze. The athlete expressed her disbelief, adding it all felt surreal.

Up until that point, Saraiva could not participate in gymnastics like the beam and floor. So, being able to achieve such historic results was purely a dream materialized.

Finishing the year without needing surgery, after two consecutive years of surgeries, was a huge relief for her. She felt grateful because there was nothing better than competing happily and savoring every moment.

Saraiva’s journey began when she competed at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in her native land. She experienced strong emotions while partaking in the games hosted in her home country.

The sportswoman explained that the opportunity was significant because few athletes get to experience it and she was happy to have had that chance. Savaira shared gymnastics taught her to be who she is and she is indebted to the sport.

“There’s a quote that motivates me a lot: ‘Gymnastics is like air for me, if I will not breathe, I will die so not doing gymnastics is the same as if I die.’ This is how I feel,” said Saraiva.

Simone Biles Triumphs Through Pain

Biles also showcased her resilience at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games which she deemed “The Redemption Tour.” She and three others endured challenges including injuries, illnesses, skills and self-confidence issues at the 2020 Tokyo Games and won silver.

Despite experiencing calf pain during the qualification round this year, she led the US to a commanding victory in the women’s gymnastics team final at Bercy Arena. The team, consisting of Biles, Sunisa Lee, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, and Hezly Rivera, posted a combined score of 171.296.

“I think we all had something to prove from Tokyo,” Biles said. “And tonight we did just that.” This victory marked Biles’ 38th career medal, extending her record as the most decorated gymnast in history.

At 27, Biles became the oldest American woman to compete in Olympic gymnastics since the 1950s. Her performance, despite her injury, was a testament to her determination and skill.

Cecile Landi, Biles’ personal coach, noted that Simone Biles felt pain in her calf during her floor exercise warmup but never considered withdrawing from the competition.

“She felt a little pain in her calf,” Landi candidly revealed. Yet despite the pain, the thought of pulling out of the competition never crossed her mind.

Shilese Jones’ Heartbreaking Injury

Shilese Jones, another prominent gymnast, faced a devastating injury just minutes before competing at her second Olympic Trials. USA Gymnastics gave an update following the incident writing on X that she would not be able to continue at the Team Trials.

She tore her ACL and meniscus, which forced her to withdraw from the competition. “I’m devastated beyond words… 4 weeks ago I was ripped away from the biggest dream of my career,” Jones shared on Instagram.

Despite her injury, Jones had established herself as a formidable force in international women’s gymnastics. She helped Team USA to gold medals at the World Championships in 2022 and 2023, earning individual medals as well.

Jones dedicated her Olympic dreams to her late father, who had always supported her gymnastics career. “It wouldn’t just be for me and my team, but also for my dad,” she said.

It was Sylvester Jones and his wife Latrice Bryant who saw the potential in their then-four-year-old daughter and encouraged her to pursue a career in gymnastics. They even suggested she may try out for the Olympics. “So I just listened to that and have been going ever since,” said the athlete.

The 2024 Paris Olympic Games highlighted the incredible determination of gymnasts like Saraiva, Biles, and Jones. Their stories of overcoming injuries and setbacks serve as a powerful reminder of the spirit of the Olympic Games, where athletes push their limits and achieve greatness despite the odds.

As the world watched, these gymnasts not only competed but inspired countless others with their unwavering commitment and passion for their sport.