All eyes on Biles: American in dazzling return despite injury

As Simone Biles offered herself a few final quiet words of encouragement by the balance beam before she returned to compete in front of the world once again, the entire spectacle could have been so overwhelming.

- Tumaini Carayol

The Bercy Arena was exploding with excitement whenever her name was mentioned. Countless celebrities, from Tom Cruise to Ariana Grande, lined the stands and flashed up on the screens. All eyes were on Biles, and she knew it.

The competition draw that Biles and her US teammates received was also unhelpful. They were required to start on the balance beam, the most unpredictable apparatus and the event that exposes all tension and uncertainty. If you cannot control your nerves, you will fall.

But Biles effortlessly worked her way through a smooth, efficient opening beam routine without a flicker of uncertainty. That would set the tone for a spectacular return to Olympic competition as she finished her subdivision of women's qualification as the top all-around qualifier, scoring 59.566. It is the biggest international all-around score of the Olympic quad and with three more subdivisions to come, there is not a soul who can outscore her.

In addition to her all-around score and the USA team leading the way, Biles occupies the top spot on the vault, is second on the balance beam and No 1 on floor. Even on the uneven bars, where she is not as strong, Biles sits in eighth place.