For Italy and Brazil, losing to Simone Biles' American team in the Olympics still felt like a victory
PARIS: Watching the celebrations after the Paris Olympics women's gymnastics team final on Tuesday, it was impossible to tell who had won.
The Simone Biles-led American team? Brazil star Rebeca Andrade and her teammates? Or the Italian team led by 17-year-old Manila Esposito?
Athletes from three nations erupted in cheers as the final results flashed on the big screens inside the raucous Bercy Arena. As the legion of American fans began chanting “USA! USA!”, their Brazilian counterparts danced and waved blue, green and yellow flags. The Italians hugged each other warmly.
The Americans' total of 171.296 made Biles the most decorated Olympic gymnast in US history with an eighth gold medal.
But it was a historic day for Italy and Brazil as well.
Italy's silver medal was the first in the event since 1928, while Brazil had never won a team medal before.
“We haven't yet realized what it means,” Italy's Alice D'Amato said when asked about second place.
The Brazilian team was the last to leave the arena. They lingered below the stands and Andrade was even hoisted up by teammates so she could hug supporters hanging over the railing.
“It's magical that we did it,” said Brazil's Jade Barbosa. “It's pure magic. Brazil was not big in this sport. We had a lot of great individuals, but now we have a great group of gymnasts.”
The Italian team finished with a score of 165.494 to better Brazil's 164.497 after Angela Andreoli delivered a strong routine on floor.
“I knew it was an important routine to be on the podium,” Andreoli said. “I was under pressure, but my partners were able to help me keep my cool.”
Brazil's hopes of a podium place were almost destroyed before the competition started when Flavia Saraiva injured her right eye during the warm-up.
“I couldn't see, it was bleeding, but the team doctor told me everything was okay,” Saraiva said. “I think my knee hit my eye when I tripped. It's not the first time it's happened to me. I might need some stitches.”
With a bandage over his eye, Saraiva soldiered on. She was careful on the bars and didn't fall on the beam, then performed an easier version of her floor exercise and ended the night with a powerful vault.
“We are warriors,” Saraiva said.
Her teammate Andrade was excellent on the four apparatus, delivering stunning layouts on floor along with a 15,100 on vault. If she performs at that level during Thursday's all-around final, she could give Biles a run at gold.
