Gymnast Simone Biles was in evidence on the day of the gymnastics team final. Not because of her performance, but because she made it clear that she wouldn’t put herself at risk to live up to the expectations of others.
She left the dispute after an error in the jump, the first device in the American team’s rotation. The gymnast had already performed below expectations in the qualifiers, but the result had been enough to classify the team and still guarantee herself, individually, in all the finals. It was replaced on the next three devices. The title went to the Russian Olympic Committee. This Wednesday (28), he also announced that he would not compete in the all-around final.
On the same day, Naomi Osaka suffered an unexpected defeat after being eliminated in the third round of the Olympic women’s tennis tournament by the Czech marketa Vondrousova, with splits of 6/1 and 6/4. The Japanese had already given up on Roland Garros, held between May and June this year.
I’m here for a good time. pic.twitter.com/P10GyUAJt5
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) July 26, 2021
Expectations were high for both of them at the Games. There was speculation that Simone would win the six gold medals – four apparatuses, individual and team general. Naomi, the greatest Japanese sportswoman today, lit the Olympic pyre and was fighting for a title at home. “Debuting here was a bit much. But I’m happy with the way I played and taking the break I took,” she said after the match.