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Simone Biles’s Coach Who Was Told She Would “Fail” While Leaving France Credits Gymnastics GOAT for Opening Her Eyes

Published 01/31/2023, 12:00 PM EST

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Simone Biles underwent various struggles and hard work to gain the gymnastic GOAT title, but she was not alone. Along with Biles, her family, and coaches also encountered various hardships while they stood beside the gymnast. Among them was her coach, Cecile Landi.

But instead of taking credit for Biles’s success, Landi expressed her gratitude to Biles and other young gymnasts for making her realize the importance of mental health.

How Simone Biles’ journey helped Cecile Landi

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During an interview with the Olympics, Landi opened up about her relationship with the world-famous gymnast and how Biles has also helped her in several ways.

Due to Biles, Landi learned what mental health is, as she is an athlete from the 90s and was unaware of the concept. The younger generation changed her perspective and made her realize how mental health affected an athlete’s performance. “It has definitely been a big change, and Simone has opened my eyes on a lot of things.”

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Landi also discussed more about her star pupil and the challenges she faced. The former French artistic gymnast moved to the States in 2004 to continue her coaching journey. However, Landi faced various criticisms from several French authorities, who believed the coach would never have a successful journey in the foreign country.

But, 18 years later, Landi proved everyone wrong as she trained some of the finest USA gymnasts, including Biles. But working with Biles came with its own challenges. “When we started coaching Simone, I would say that we had a different kind of pressure because everyone was waiting for us, maybe, to mess up. ‘How can you get her better? How can you make her better?’ I don’t know, but she can do more. And she did,” revealed Landi.

Despite facing several disapprovals, Landi never gave up on herself or training Biles. She has always supported Biles during her ups and lows and may continue to do the same in Paris 2024.

Will Biles and Landi be back for one last time?

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During the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, had withdrawn from several events mid-tournament, citing mental health issues. Since then, the gymnast has not participated in any gymnastics competitions.

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However, as the Paris Olympics is approaching next year, the athlete might be back to finish some “unfished business”. Some past text exchanges between her coach, Cecile Landi, and Biles hinted at the athlete’s potential return to the Olympics mat. And whatever decision the gymnast takes, her coach will be there to support her.

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Watch This Story: Baby Biles turns into Simone Biles, mother teases about her joining gymnastics

Fans are hoping that after a drought of more than a year and a half, Biles will make a comeback to the sport, and stun the world, yet again.

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Written by:

Soumya Bontra

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Soumya Bontra is a US Sports author for EssentiallySports. She has been working as a sports journalist and writer for the past two years. Soumya has a Bachelor’s in Mass Media.
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Edited by:

Akash Pandhare