Biles dresses ‘for the survivors,’ wins her fifth U.S. title
The color choice wasn’t a coincidence. It was a statement. One Simone Biles felt compelled to make even as the organization she competes for struggles to find a compassionate message to sexual abuse survivors.
The Olympic champion designed the leotard she wore while winning her fifth U.S. women’s gymnastics title Sunday, all the way down to the light shade of teal. It’s the designated color for survivors of sexual abuse, a group that includes Biles, who revealed in January she was among the victims of former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar.
“(The color) is for the survivors,” Biles said after becoming the first woman in 24 years to post the top score on every event on her way to a national championship. “I stand with all of them and I think it’s kind of special to unite (people).”
The 21-year-old came up with the idea eight months ago, long before she knew how her comeback following a post-Olympic break would go. In the end, it simultaneously served as a beacon to her otherworldly gymnastics while also highlighting the need to keep Nassar victims at the forefront.
Two years after winning four gold medals at the 2016 Summer Games, Biles has somehow reached another level. She posted a two-day total of 119.850, more than six points ahead of reigning world champ Morgan Hurd and seven points clear of Riley McCusker. Biles’ margin of victory was greater than the gap between Hurd and 11th-place Jordan Chiles.
“She pushes us,” McCusker said. “I’m honestly just in awe of her.”
Biles is the second woman to win nationals five times, joining Clara Schroth Lomady (six wins between 1945 and 1952). Biles also became the first woman since three-time Olympian Dominique Dawes in 1994 to wind up first on floor exercise, balance beam, vault and uneven bars.
A year ago, Biles was wrapping up a post-Olympic whirlwind. She basked in the aftermath of her run at the 2016 Olympics in which she brought home a record-tying five medals and entered the “first-name” pantheon in her sport, a club that includes Olympic champs Nadia Comaneci and Mary Lou Retton. Biles, however, is making a compelling case for a class all her own.
She didn’t get serious about a return until last fall, but two meets into her comeback, the possibilities are staggering. Her all-around score of 60.1 during the opening round Friday marked the highest in competition since she and Olympic teammate Aly Raisman both topped the 60-point barrier during the all-around finals in Brazil in 2016. Biles wasn’t quite as sharp Sunday as Friday — scoring a bit lower on bars and beam — but she was so far ahead coming into the finals, she needed do little more than stay upright to finish the night atop the podium.
Biles will get a chance to add to her 14 world championship medals when she leads Team USA to Qatar in October. Hurd, McCusker and vault specialist Chiles figure to be there, too. Whoever earns the fifth spot will join a team heavily favored to continue its international supremacy.