Coach Simone Biles slams Olympic judges after giving US team gymnast ‘harsh’ penalty in balance beam final

Simone Biles’ coach didn’t shy away from criticizing Olympic gymnastics judges after her star student was penalized for a seemingly minor infraction.

Biles’ penultimate appearance in Paris ended in fifth place on the balance beam, after a rare fall on that event.

Later, her score of 13.100 was deducted 0.3 points because she had not completed her routine properly.

The problem turned out to be that Biles failed to properly acknowledge the D1 judge at the end of her routine. According to the International Gymnastics Federation Code of Points, gymnasts must “properly present themselves (arm/s up) and thereby acknowledge the D1 judge at the beginning of her routine and acknowledge the same judge at the end of her routine.”

Coach Cecile Landi expressed her doubts about the decision after the match, as did many disappointed American gymnastics fans.

Simone Biles poses with her coaches Cecile Landi (left) and Laurent Landi (right)

“We looked at it,” she told reporters, as quoted by USA Today. “I could see it, yes and no. I think it’s a little harsh, but ultimately it didn’t matter. So no, we’re not going to make a big deal out of it.”

Fans were less forgiving, as Biles appeared to address the judges at the end of her performance, albeit briefly.

“I saw with my own eyes how she turned around and saluted the judges,” one fan wrote on X.

Ultimately, as Landi pointed out, the penalty didn’t matter. Biles made sure to give the judges the proper salute at the end of her final event in Paris – a second-place finish on floor.

She now has 11 Olympic medals to her name: seven gold, two silver and two bronze.

Remarkably, she could compete in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles when she is 31.

When asked if he could compete in the Olympics again, Biles told reporters, “Never say never.”