After a string of domestic events, Simone Biles reappeared on the global scene, facing the biggest test yet in her unprecedented sporting comeback. She ensured another victory for the U.S. women’s gymnastics team; however, it wasn't an all-safe competition for the Olympian.
Simone gets deduction because of coach
The 26-year-old's significant deduction of 0.634 points came on the landing where she bounced backward. But unusually, judges then lowered Biles’s score by an additional half-point because of her coach Laurent Landi. Why?
Safety hurts Biles' score
To ensure her safety, Laurent had decided to stand on the landing mat. However, Biles was penalized because having a spotter nearby on the vault is against the rules. But what’s concerning is that Biles’s coaches have prioritized safety — shouldn’t the USA Gymnastics do the same?