HomeSportsSimone Biles says silent Olympic beam final was 'awkward'

Simone Biles says silent Olympic beam final was ‘awkward’

Published on



The silence that filled Bercy Arena on Monday for the women’s gymnastics balance beam final was “awkward” for 11-time Olympic medalist Simone Biles.

When reflecting on Monday’s competition, in which she placed second in the floor exercise final and failed to medal on the beam following a fall, the standout American gymnast called attention to the “really weird” atmosphere.

“You’re trying to stay in your zone, and then people start cheering and then the shushing gets louder, so really, they should be shushed because they’re louder,” Biles said, according to USA Today.

Simone Biles performs on the balance beam at Bercy Arena on Aug. 5, 2024. REUTERS
The 11-time Olympic medal spoke about the silence inside the Olympic venue. AFP via Getty Images

“It was really weird and awkward. And we’ve asked several times if we can have some music, or some background noise, so I’m not really sure what happened there. But, yeah, not our favorite. None of us liked it.”

Biles, 27, added how smaller noises such as “Android ringtones going off” and “the photo flickers” seemed heightened amid the quietness.

Teammate Suni Lee, who also fell off the beam Monday and tied for fifth in the final event, was thrown by the unwavering silence in the 10,000-seat venue.


2024 PARIS OLYMPICS


Simone Biles earned silver for her floor routine at the Olympics on Aug. 5, 2024. Getty Images
Suni Lee also performed in the balance beam final at the 2024 Olympics. AP

“Even watching the other finals, I was like, ‘It’s a little too quiet in here,’” Lee said.

“When I was up there, I was like, ‘People can probably hear me breathing.’”

Even as Team USA standouts, that didn’t stop some members of the crowd from shushing Biles and Lee as they supported one another. The pair agreed the shushing was “annoying.”

Given most gymnastics competitions in the U.S. have events taking place at the same time, applause and cheers are bound to erupt regularly from the crowd.

Silence, however, was integrated into the “sports presentation plan at Paris 2024,” according to a spokesperson for the International Gymnastics Federation. The organization does not have regulations concerning music or background noise, per USA Today.

Suni Lee during the balance beam final at the 2024 Paris Games. AP

It wasn’t just the gymnasts who took issue with the silence.

Biles’ coach, France’s own Cecile Landi, said “it was the first time that I heard anybody shush.”

“So, it was really strange. I don’t know if they thought the athletes wanted it to be quiet,” she told the outlet. “I can tell them now: No. They did not. They do not like it.”



Source link

Latest articles

GOP Rep. Chuck Edwards left feminine staffer feeling ‘scared lowkey,’ House Ethics report finds

WASHINGTON — Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-NC) had a feminine staffer “scared lowkey” after...

Lakers face new Jonathan Kuminga menace from Timberwolves

The Los Angeles Lakers may be thought of the favorites to land Jonathan...

Texas Stock Exchange launches in Dallas as new competitor

A new rival to Wall Street formally debuted on Friday as the Texas Stock...

Russia says seven killed and 40 injured by Ukrainian drone hitting busy seaside

A drone hit a busy seaside in southern Russia, killing seven individuals including...

More like this

Lakers face new Jonathan Kuminga menace from Timberwolves

The Los Angeles Lakers may be thought of the favorites to land Jonathan...

Rams enjoying with hearth at backup QB, looking out for solutions

The Rams are taking a calculated danger at one of the most vital...

Skip Schumaker’s heated argument with ump pauses for ‘God Bless America’

“God Bless America” has become a valuable custom at Sunday baseball video games,...