Watch: Simone Biles dazzles in qualifying despite injury

Simone Biles performs in the floor exercise at the 2024 Olympic Games Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Simone Biles dazzles in qualifying round despite left leg injury

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Jul 28, 2024 12:34 PM ET

Never doubt Simone Biles' toughness.

According to ESPN's Alyssa Roenigk, the gymnastics star left the floor with USA team doctor Marcia Faustin after the opening beam routine during Sunday's qualifying round at the Paris Games. She was heard on camera saying she felt something in her calf.

Despite the pain, the 27-year-old returned to the floor and showed why she's a four-time gold-medal winner. Biles recorded a 14.600 in the floor exercise — the day's best score — and secured a spot in the event finals next week.

We are in the presence of greatness @Simone_Biles is back and competing in her THIRD Olympics!

: @NBCOlympics & @peacock #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/nvQrt6X2dw
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) July 28, 2024

Then, in the vault, Biles landed the Yurchenko double pike, considered the most difficult vault in women's gymnastics, via CBS News' Wendy Gillette. She scored 15.800 with the vault, the highest score in the world this year.

Vaults like these are what make Simone Biles Simone Biles. ️‍ #ParisOlympics

: NBC, E! and Peacock pic.twitter.com/YhlEdlJ6e2
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) July 28, 2024

Per The Washington Post's Emily Giambalvo, U.S. gymnastics coach Cecile Landi said that Biles reaggravated a minor calf issue during warmups. Landi is not worried about her availability for upcoming competitions, though.

The gymnastics team final will take place Tuesday with the women's all-around final to follow Thursday. Team USA led qualifying with a score of 172.296. The Americans are favored to win the gold medal after finishing second behind Russia at the Tokyo Games.

Biles is set to compete in both events, where she could further her legacy as one of the greatest Olympians of all time.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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