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In Protecting Herself, Simone Biles Achieved Something Greater Than All-Around Gold

Simone Biles is the best gymnast in the world once again.

Biles took the win at Thursday's individual all-around final with a 59.131, over a point ahead of reigning silver medalist Rebeca Andrade of Brazil, despite an error on the uneven bars. Sunisa Lee, the reigning Olympic champion in this event, took bronze. With this gold, Biles has become the oldest all-around champion in 72 years.

It was a big win for Biles after having withdrawn from the event at the Tokyo Olympics. It was an even bigger win for her message of prioritizing mental wellness.

It's still unclear why Biles came down with a case of the twisties in Tokyo, forcing her to withdraw from most of her finals, but mental health and the pressure to win gold were implicated.