Women's gymnastics at the Tokyo Olympics was probably best known for the star who barely competed there. When Simone Biles withdrew from the women's team final one rotation in and then from all but one of her other finals, the field opened up, and the competition grew closer.
Many podiums featured athletes competing for smaller and up-and-coming programs, like Italy, Belgium and host country Japan, or countries without a full team in Tokyo, like Brazil and South Korea. Their results will energize their programs for years to come.
Athletes from around the world expressed their support for Biles after she experienced "the twisties"—and for one another—with most events ending with rounds of hugs and selfies that seemed genuine.