Why Simone Biles was angry with Paris Crowd after missing out on Olympic medal (2024)

Simone Biles looked less than impressed as her routine went awry (Image: Getty Images)

Simone Biles faced criticism for letting her emotions get the better of her during the women's balance beam final on Monday. But it's clear that her frustration was directed solely at herself.

With an unparalleled record of success in both the Olympics and World Championships, Biles is undeniably one of the greatest female gymnasts in history. Boasting seven Olympic gold medals across various gymnastic events, it's impossible to deny the 27-year-old's talent and ability to consistently perform under pressure.

Her four golds from Rio 2016 and three from Paris this summer are testament to this, as are her 23 first-place finishes at World Championships since 2013. Despite usually maintaining a humble demeanour in victory, we saw a rare glimpse of a different side to Biles on Monday afternoon.

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Biles was widely expected to secure a medal in the balance beam final. As she began her routine, fans worldwide anticipated nothing less than excellence. She started strong but lost her footing after a shaky double layout, costing her a spot on the podium.

The gymnast appeared incensed after her latest performance, with the weight of monumental expectation invariably resting on her shoulders in every contest - a level of pressure scarcely imaginable to the ordinary person. Despite her discernible irritation at a fifth-place finish in today's event, it is evident that Biles' disgruntlement was directed internally rather than at the audience present.

There has been some speculation about whether the crowd's conduct could have impacted Biles, especially since shouts of "come on Simone" were audible just before the athlete stumbled in her routine. Some believe these interruptions from the stands might have snatched away Biles' opportunity for a fourth gold medal at the Parisian Games.

Biles lost her footing in the Olympic balance beam event (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Gymnastics is a sport demanding absolute concentration and harmony between mind, body, and soul, and while most routines are performed in quietude until the dismount, Biles had to deal with unexpected distractions. Although suggestions have surfaced that Biles showed exasperation towards the environment and people around her post-event, there's no substantial proof to support such claims.

She has consistently demonstrated grace and dignity, whether in victory or defeat, never attributing her rare setbacks to external factors. The reality is that Biles, like many of her peers at the top of their game, has cultivated a winner's mentality over time - where anything less than first place in competitions is unacceptable.

While this strong-mindedness can have its benefits, it can also lead to utter devastation when they fall short in their pursuits. How often have we seen athletes tearfully withdraw from races due to injury? How many boxers have been visibly overwhelmed when a verdict doesn't swing in their favour? How frequently have we witnessed footballers break down after losing a crucial tournament final?

It's part and parcel of sports to pour your heart and soul into your performances, and when those performances don't measure up, an emotional outburst is inevitable. Many athletes will admit to feeling let down by themselves when they stumble at the last hurdle after coming so close to triumph.

This was the case for Biles today, narrowly missing out on Olympic glory due to a minor mishap. However, there's no question that Biles, like many legendary athletes, will view this incident as a learning opportunity, contemplating how to avoid repeating the same error in the future.

And it's this quality that distinguishes certain performers as masters of their craft and reveals their true character. Another element that may have contributed to Biles' disappointment was the opportunity to surpass her own record for the most Olympic medals won at a single Summer Games.

She clinched four golds at the Rio Olympics in 2016, and had she secured a top spot in the women's balance beam, she could have been eyeing five golds in total for Paris 2024. Instead, she entered this afternoon's women's floor event with aspirations of equalling her previous best set eight years prior.

Supporters must comprehend how failing to meet hopes and expectations can be devastating, particularly given the winning mindset so prevalent among athletes. Is it fair to criticise Biles for her reaction to finishing fifth in the women's balance beam today?

The argument could be made that it isn't. One of the greatest athletes of all time sadly fell short of beating a personal best, and it's understandable that such a blow will hurt in ways many cannot fathom. Before fans consider criticising an athlete for displaying emotion, they should remember the countless sleepless nights and endless gym hours these individuals endure in their pursuit of greatness and respect. It's not always going to be a bed of roses when things don't pan out as planned.