MILLER EXPECTS BILES TO RULE AT TOKYO OLYMPICS

nMUMBAI: Former US gymnast and Olympic legend Shannon Miller says performing consistently at a higher level is what sets Simone Biles apart, and that the American is expected to dominate the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Biles is only three Olympic medals shy of overhauling Miller’s seven to become the United States’ most decorated gymnast, something which the 22-year-old is expected to achieve at Tokyo after her stunning performances at the World Championships in Germany last year.

Miller, who is in the city as brand ambassador of the Mumbai Marathon, hopes for a lot of medals from Biles in Tokyo. “It is the difficulty—she has such an incredible difficulty and her team, they start at such a higher level than everyone else,” Miller told the media.

“Not only (does) she start from a difficulty and a higher score, she is (also) able to perform them at such consistent rate. It bodes well for her, for a lot of medals (at Tokyo Olympics),” said Miller.

Miller said that Indian gymnast Dipa Karmakar, whose attempt at the Produnova vault made the world sit up and take notice at the 2016 Rio Olympics, had inspired many young Indians. “I think what Dipa has done has really showed the other athletes of India to the world that they are on the stage. That opens up the young generation of athletes all over India; to know that it is possible with hard work and passion to go to the height of your career in the Olympics.”

However, Miller said it was up to the athletes and coaches to decide whether they want to perfect the technique of the Produnova vault, often called the “vault of death” due to the risk of injuries involved. “It depends on what skills you are talking about… it is important in any sport to take as much precaution as you can to be as safe as possible. Safety always has to come first. I would not make any recommendations, it is up to them— the athlete and the coach. Every athlete is different,” she said.

The Olympic legend felt gymnastics had come a long way in terms of safety. “They (manufacturers) have really focused on safety with the equipment.”