Simone Biles’ extraordinary career may have culminated at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she added four more medals to her collection: three golds in the women’s individual all-around, women’s vault and team all-around, and a silver in the floor exercise. As the oldest U.S. gymnast in 72 years, she not only met expectations, but exceeded them, cementing her place as one of the greatest gymnasts in Olympic history.

She’s now tied with Czech gymnast Vera Cáslavská with 11 medals, trailing only Russia’s Larisa Latynina, who holds a seemingly unbeatable record of 18 Olympic medals. Her performance in Paris sparked further debate about where she ranks among the best, leaving fans and critics alike questioning whether this was her final impact on the sport

One of the highlights of Biles’ illustrious career is her signature move, the Yurchenko double pike (now called the Biles II), a move so difficult and dangerous that it has redefined the sport. Cécile Canqueteau-Landi, Biles’ former coach, recently opened up about the tense moments leading up to the Paris Olympics, specifically the high-risk move. The vault, which involves a round-off on the springboard followed by two flips in a pike position, is one of the most complex and risky maneuvers ever performed by a female gymnast.

Despite the immense pressure, Biles executed the Yurchenko double pike flawlessly in Paris, even with a calf injury. A visibly relieved Landi admitted that the atmosphere in the training room before the vault was charged with anticipation, noting that everyone held their breath as Simone prepared to perform.