RIO DE JANEIRO — Simone Biles put the finishing touches on one of the greatest Olympics by a gymnast ever, capturing her fourth gold of the games with a showstopping performance in the floor exercise.
The 19-year-old American on Tuesday completed an extraordinary stretch that included a team gold with the “Final Five,” as well as individual golds in the all-around and vault and bronze on balance beam after a stumble.
Her five medals tie the most for an American woman in a single Olympics, and her four golds tie an Olympic record shared by three others.
“It’s been a long journey,” Biles said. “I’ve enjoyed every single moment of it. I know our team has. It’s been very long in competing so many times. It got tiring. But we just wanted to end on a good note.”
Biles embraced longtime coach Aimee Boorman shortly after her routine, which included a tumbling pass named in her honor and a Brazilian-themed segment intended to play to the crowd in Rio. She beamed when her score of 15.966 was posted.
Teammate Aly Raisman followed with a 15.500 silver-medal performance to give her a third medal during Rio and six overall in her Olympic career. The 22-year-old team captain — who was second in the all-around to Biles last week — waved to the stands as she walked off the floor, likely for the final time as a competitor.
Amy Tinkler of Great Britain earned bronze.
The Team USA medals gave the American women — including Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, Gabby Douglas, Laurie Hernandez and Madison Kocian — nine during the meet, the most ever by the U.S. at an Olympics.
Still confused on gymnastics scoring at the Olympics? We break it down for you here.