TOKYO — Simone Biles made a rousing return to these Olympics, with a last-chance, last stand on the balance beam that garnered her a bronze medal, her seventh and almost certainly final career medal.
Biles delivered a steady, strong routine and while she was, no doubt, trying to win gold, this was as much about competing, and overcoming, than anything else. That a medal came in the end was an added bonus.
China’s 16-year-old sensation Guan Chenchen (14.633) won gold and teammate Tang Xijing Tag (14.233) took silver. They were the two highest qualifiers and thus the favorites to win the event.