USA Gymnastics' Reaction to Simone Biles' Last-Minute Skill Change Says It All

Simone Biles is planning to make history at the 2024 Paris Olympics in more ways than expected. As a seven-time medalist, Biles needs just one more podium finish to become the most-decorated American Olympic gymnast of all time.

The nine-time national champion already has five skills named after her, an achievement earned only after becoming the first person to successfully complete the trick in international competition. Now, Biles is looking to add a sixth signature move.

On July 26, just two days before the women's qualifications at the Paris Olympics, Biles submitted an original skill on the uneven bars the FIG Women's Technical Committee for evaluation. In the upgraded move, a variation of the Weiler half, Biles casts her body up from below into a handstand position and makes 1.5 rotations before coming to a stop.

USA Gymnastics, like all fans learning about Biles' last-minute submission, had no words. They simply posted three exclamation points on X.

If Biles completes the element without any major mistakes, she will become the first active gymnast to have a signature skill on every event. The 27-year-old already has two moves named after her on the floor, two on the vault, and one on beam.

Considering the uneven bars is largely considered Biles' "worst event," her decision to raise the stakes immediately turns some heads. Of Biles' 37 combined world champions and Olympic medals, only one came from the uneven bars.

However, Biles is still one of the top Americans on the apparatus. She placed second on the uneven bars at the U.S. Gymnastics Trials last month, and won the event at the 2024 U.S. Championships.

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