There truly is no “I” in team. After Suni Lee won bronze and Simone Biles won gold in the individual all-around competition at the Paris Olympics, their teammates Jordan Chiles and Jade Carey had the best response.
Chiles, who was in attendance, waited by the stage to hug Lee and Biles once they were done competing.
Carey, who was also in the arena, posted an Instagram story, writing: “brb sobbing so proud.”
The “Golden Girls,” as they have been dubbed, picked up a gold medal in the team all-around final just two days earlier. Hezly Rivera is the fifth member of the team.
For Lee, coming back to compete in Paris was a big deal. She was diagnosed with two forms of a kidney disease that kept her out of gymnastics last year. “I feel like I’m getting back to regular Suni,” the gymnast told ELLE.com in the lead-up to the 2024 Games. “And my confidence is back to normal.”
This moment also means a lot to Biles, who stepped back from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in order to focus on her mental health. The Paris Games marks her return to the world’s biggest stage—and it’s clear that she came to win.
Before leaving for Paris, Biles took time to speak with ELLE.com about her return to the mat—and how she’s adopting a new Olympic mindset. “I am doing therapy weekly to keep everything in tune so that I feel comfortable and confident enough to be competing,” she said. “It’s been a crucial part of my training regimen.”
Another one of her big supporters, husband Jonathan Owens, was also there in Paris celebrating the big moment. Speaking with ELLE.com, Biles described him as her secret weapon. “He always says, ‘Smile like you’re the best out there. Nobody can do it like you. You have to trust your training [and] trust your process,’” she said.
Rose is the Senior Editor of Features & Special Projects at ELLE.com overseeing features and projects about women’s issues. She is an accomplished and compassionate storyteller and editor who excels in obtaining exclusive interviews and unearthing compelling features.