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The irrefutable legacy of Simone Biles, in gymnastics and beyond

Related Topics: Simone Biles

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PARIS -- The silence speaks volumes.

Gymnastics meets at these Olympics have been loud, rowdy affairs. But there are these moments, just before Simone Biles mounts a balance beam or takes off down a vault runway or hits her opening pose on floor, when Bercy Arena falls utterly silent. Fans put their phones down and lift their eyes up and take in her performances the same way they might experience a work of art in the Louvre: with awe and respect and often without comprehension.

On Monday, Biles fell on beam and didn't medal, and then she reset and performed what was perhaps the final floor routine of her illustrious career, closing out her third Olympics with an electrifying performance.