PARIS: Simone Biles aims to make more history in her glittering Olympic gymnastics career by reclaiming the all-around title on Thursday as the athletics program kicked off at the Paris Games.
A total of 16 gold medals were up for grabs on the sixth full day of competition in Paris, where torrential early rain forced a half-hour delay in the start of the men’s walk.
But the skies cleared as the athletes took to the course – a stunning loop crossing the River Seine in front of the Eiffel Tower.
American star Biles returns to the limelight as she bids to become the first woman ever to regain an Olympic all-around title after famously pulling off a grueling “Twisties” in Tokyo.
The 27-year-old returned to the top of the podium on Tuesday with team gold, her eighth Olympic medal of five, and became the most decorated U.S. Olympic gymnast.
Biles, the reigning world champion, wants to do it in style with a new uneven bars skill that would be the sixth unique skill named after her.
But Biles faces a tough challenge from teammate Sunisa Lee, the reigning Olympic all-around champion, who is as convincing on her comeback trail as her compatriot.
Lee was diagnosed with two undisclosed kidney ailments in early 2023. However, she said in April that she is “in remission” and is considered stronger than she was in Tokyo.
Another top contender is Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade, who said it was an honor to compete with Biles.
“She is a reference, a role model for the whole world, gymnastics and athletes, to see how she loves to compete. That’s what sport is about,” said Andrade.
Meanwhile, the men’s and women’s 20km walk events kicked off the athletics programme.
Italy’s Massimo Stano was bidding to become the first man to win back-to-back golds in the event after his triumph in Tokyo, but was beaten to an agonizing fourth place and Ecuador’s Brian Pintado took the gold.
It was Ecuador’s second Olympic title in the event, Jefferson Perez winning gold in 1996.
In the women’s race, Stan’s compatriot Antonella Palmisano also defended her Olympic title in Paris.
Another busy schedule in the pool includes the women’s 200m butterfly final, featuring 17-year-old Canadian prodigy Summer McIntosh, who is fast becoming one of the stars of the Games.
McIntosh, already the 400m medley champion and runner-up in the 400m freestyle, faces a big field including the defense.
