Fact check: Did Simone Biles get injured during the women's qualification at Paris Olympics 2024?

By Adityan Pillai

Modified Jul 28, 2024 12:02 GMT

Simone Biles was seen limping after her first routine during the women's gymnastics qualification rounds at the Paris Olympics. The American gymnast moved to the sidelines after completing her beam balance routine.

Simone Biles' performance at the Olympics raised great anticipation among fans which led to a fully packed stadium during the qualification events. Biles got on to the mat to kickstart her Paris Olympics campaign and began the contest with a high-scoring (14.733) and perfectly executed beam balance routine. However, after the routine, she appeared to limp off the mat.

Moments later, she was seen limping as she returned to her team and was attended by a medical staff. The medical team at the Paris Olympics taped her left leg as she continued with her routines in the qualification rounds. Simone Biles' limping concerned fans and other gymnastics enthusiasts and there were speculations of her having an ankle injury.

A fan took to X, and shared a video of Biles after the first routine. In the video posted by the fan, Biles was seen resting on the mat for a moment as she continued to limp towards Jordan Chiles who was getting ready to perform.

"I’m gonna cry. Simone noooo," wrote the fan.

There were speculations of Biles having an ankle injury, however, the most decorated gymnast continued to perform exceptionally in her routines and posted 15.800 in the vault, 14.433 in the uneven bars, and 14.600 in the floor exercise after having to get her leg taped.

Washington Post reporter, Emily Giambalvo, reported that Biles' coach Cecile Landi revealed that her discomfort was due to a minor calf issue that appeared weeks ago while warming up during floor warmups. They have not discussed the American withdrawal from the Olympics.

Simone Biles speaks on getting injured while competing

Simone Biles at Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day 2 - Source: Getty

Simone Biles spoke about her injuries in an interview with Daily Mail. The American gymnast spoke about her recurring calf injuries. however, she expressed that she was fortunate that she did not suffer from major injuries.

"I was thinking about this—I've been quite fortunate with injuries but there's been some stuff. There's been a calf I have partially torn two or three times, I broke a rib in 2016, and oh yeah, it turned out my toe was shattered in five pieces after the last Olympics without me knowing," she said.

Despite suffering from injuries throughout her career which has spanned over three Olympic Games or twelve years, Biles has managed to emerge stronger from every setback.