American gymnast Simone Biles is hoping to lead USA to a third consecutive Olympics gold medal in the sport. Biles began her journey at the Tokyo Olympics on Monday with the all-around team qualifications. Team USA did not put up the best performance and trail the team from the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC). The final of the event would take place on Tuesday.
Biles made mistakes on floor and vault on Sunday and the other Americans followed suit as they failed to post the top score of the day for the first time at a world championships or Olympics since 2010.
“I truly do feel like I have the weight of the world on my shoulders at times,” Biles said reflecting on her flawed qualifying performance in the qualifiers.
Biles, who is often regarded as the greatest gymnast of all times, won four gold medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics. But the US star said that the Olympics were no joke.
In an Instagram post, the 24-year-old said that it was not an easy day at the Tokyo Olympics. “It wasn’t an easy day or my best but I got through it,” she wrote.
“I know I brush it off and make it seem like pressure doesn’t affect me but damn sometimes it’s hard hahaha,” Biles added.
Biles has qualified for all six women’s finals, starting with Tuesday’s team final.
She has the potential to level Soviet great Larisa Latynina’s record of nine gymnastics gold medals, or even surpass it now she has qualified for all six finals.
