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Simone Biles’ Coach Shares the Unfiltered Experience of Training the Best Gymnast in the World: “Everyone Was Waiting for Us, to Mess Up”

Published 02/02/2023, 10:45 AM EST

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Sports enthusiasts definitely don’t need any introduction to Simone Biles. Before taking her time off from the Tokyo Olympics, Biles indeed set a plethora of success stories in gymnastics. When fans look at her today, they see a confident and mature person. But did you ever wonder who could be behind the successful person she is now? Cecile Landi is the coach of Biles since 2017 and she has some amazing stories about the gold medalist. In a recent interview, Landi shared how training one of the best athletes in the world had changed her perspective about the world completely.

Just like Simone, Landi too has faced adversities to become the achiever she is now. Coming from a small town in France to becoming the most sought-after coach in the US, the journey was arduous.

Cecile Landi praises Simone Biles

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After starting training with Landi in 2017, Biles bagged the 2018 National Championships, and World Championships, and broke some world records. There was no stopping them after understanding and respecting each other’s point of view. Working with the extraordinary athlete indeed provided a phenomenal experience for Cecile. Describing the journey, she gave an interview to Olympics.com, “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.”

 

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Landi loves challenges, and with Biles, it was easy for her to face the doubters. She shared, “It has definitely been a big change, and Simone has opened my eyes on a lot of things”. Apart from her star pupil, Landi has also worked with Alyssa Baumann and Madison Kocian at the initial stage of her career. Just like Biles, Landi too advocates the mental health of the athletes for the betterment of performance. She even advises her fellow trainers to change their approach and listen to the performers. In addition, Landi said, “Talking with Simone and with the girls… I just want them to know that they can tell me anything. I watch the body language a lot, I try to see. Then, I ask, ‘What’s going on? Are you OK? Do you want to talk? Do we need to talk and take a day? That’s fine.'”

A little perspective on the career of Landi

With more than 18 years of experience, Landi proudly looks back to the obstacles that she overcame. Definitely, her education in France as a physical therapist helped her change her approach and listen to the mental health of the girls in the US. She even advised aspiring female trainers, “It’s really… just don’t be afraid. People are going to tell you, ‘No’. People will tell you can’t do it…It’s just keep pushing yourself. Do what you believe you can and you’ll make it happen.”

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Moreover, dealing with Biles and other top performers helped her gain perspective. Dealing with the pressure with a collaborative effort from each of them is indeed what helped them grow as a person as well as a professional.

Simone Biles Called Quits With Her Longtime Coach After Five Olympic Medals Success- Here’s Why

Of course, the task was not easy, but they made it happen with lots of hard work. Aren’t you amazed by their story?

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

 

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Written by:

Soumili Chatterjee

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Soumili Chatterjee is a US Sports author for EssentiallySports. She secured her bachelor’s and master's degree in English literature from the University of Calcutta. After being a technical and blog writer for nearly three years, it was her ardent love for sports that steered her career toward the sports industry.
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Edited by:

Ajinkya Aswale