Simone Biles’ Training Partner Opens Up on Coaching Shake-Up That Rocked Their Gym

When Cecile and Laurent Landi announced their departure from the World Champions Centre (WCC), the gymnastics world braced for impact. As the architects behind Simone Biles’ legendary comeback and guidance for a cohort of elite athletes through Olympic heights, their exit marked the close of a pivotal chapter. Having steered WCC since 2017, their coaching legacy extended far beyond medals. They helped establish a competitive ethos that shaped the very identity of the gym. So, when such a foundational presence steps away, what follows is typically marked by turbulence. But inside the gym walls, something else quietly unfolded.

Dulcy Caylor, one of WCC’s standout athletes and Simone Biles’ training partner, offered a surprisingly measured perspective. Her account diverged from the anticipated narrative of disruption or upheaval. Instead, she described a progression marked by enthusiasm and adaptability. The current program is now under the counsel of Patrick Kiens and Daymon Jones, both of whom led the Romanian national team at the Paris Games. Between them, they bring decades of international experience, having served as national coaches across Europe and North Africa.

Caylor was clear. Speaking to Inside Gymnastics, “It was big news in the gymnastics world! I’m always going to be grateful to Cécile and Laurent for everything they’ve done for me. And of course, it was a transition, but overall, yes, it has been working out.” In a sport where stability in coaching is often essential for consistency, Caylor’s composure in the face of change underscores both her maturity and the effectiveness of the new regime.

Their arrival at WCC represented a stylistic and technical shift, yet one that Caylor describes not only as manageable but invigorating. “There’s been, like you said, more different skills I’m learning, some creativity that I didn’t think I was going to do,” she said, reflecting on the renewed energy in the gym. “Working with Patrick and Damon has been a good switch for me, and I think it’s been fun to change it up a little.”

Her remarks hint at a facility that has remained agile in the face of a high-profile transition. WCC’s ability to sustain its performance trajectory without faltering suggests institutional resilience. One that does not rely solely on individual personalities, but on broader systems of excellence. Caylor’s progress provides evidence of that. As the dust settles post-Olympics, WCC remains a focal point of elite American gymnastics. Though the Landis’ exit was notable, their departure did not signal the collapse of a dynasty. On the contrary, the program appears to be recalibrating with intention. Caylor’s insights, grounded in direct experience rather than conjecture, point to a transition that was neither chaotic nor diluted, but quietly successful. And banking on the renewed momentum, the 17-year-old is having some big plans. 

Simone Biles’ training mate, Dulcy Caylor, locks in on Worlds with quiet eyes on Los Angeles 2028

There is no hesitancy in Dulcy Caylor’s stride these days. Only precision. As she prepares to take the floor at the 2025 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships in New Orleans, her ambitions are not cloaked in modesty or framed as possibilities. They are direct, mapped, and pursued with an engineer’s clarity. The World Team Selection Camp, scheduled for the fall, is squarely in view, as is the possibility of representing the United States at the World Championships in Jakarta.

Her calendar, however, stretches far beyond this week’s arena lights. Caylor has committed to the University of Florida, a program known not merely for its prestige but for the particular kind of excellence that aligns with her temperament. She is already part of the Gators’ Class of 2026, a cohort widely regarded as one of the strongest in recent NCAA memory. The decision to join Florida was not made lightly. The competitive rigor of NCAA gymnastics appeals to her, not as a step down from elite, but as a different sort of proving ground. She looks forward to entering that chapter with the same intensity that has defined her elite career.

Still, there is one destination that occupies a quieter but permanent place in her thoughts: Los Angeles, 2028. She does not speak of it often, but when she does, the tone changes slightly. The Olympic Games remain the horizon line, not in fantasy, but as a deeply personal goal. And nothing in her current trajectory suggests she is not steadily moving toward it.