Biles dazzles on Olympic return, swimming awaits blockbuster duel

PARIS, France — Gymnastics icon Simone Biles dazzled in her long-awaited return to the Olympic stage on Sunday as Paris braced for a blockbuster swimming duel on an action-packed day two at the Games.

A galaxy of A-listers, from Hollywood star Tom Cruise to Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, crowded into a packed Bercy Arena to watch as Biles began her quest for Olympic redemption.

The 27-year-old four-time Olympic champion opened her qualifying with a flawless performance on the beam, drawing loud applause from a star-studded crowd that also included actress Jessica Chastain, "Barbie" director Greta Gerwig and pop singer Ariana Grande.

Biles, a 23-time world champion widely regarded as the greatest gymnast in history, entered the arena to a standing ovation and a deafening roar greeted her introduction.

The American star, who also impressed with her floor routine, acknowledged the support with a wave and she blew a kiss to the crowd after her image was flashed up on a giant scoreboard.

Biles is competing in Paris three years after her campaign at the Tokyo Olympics unravelled due to a disorientating condition gymnasts call "twisties".

She still went home with a silver and bronze and was lauded for speaking openly about her mental health struggles.

Biles could become the oldest all-around women's all-around Olympic champion in 72 years and just the third woman to capture more than one Olympic all-around title.

- Swimming duel -

Biles' return was one of the highlights of a day two schedule which will see 13 gold medals up for grabs in sports including shooting, mountain biking, skateboarding, archery, canoeing, fencing and swimming.

All eyes will be on the battle for gold in the swimming pool at La Defense Arena, where Britain's Adam Peaty faces a duel with China's world champion Qin Haiyang in the 100m breaststroke.

World record-holder Peaty is trying to match swimming legend Michael Phelps and win a third straight gold medal in the same event in a clash with Qin that is laced with intrigue.

Qin, the 200m world record-holder, was reportedly among the 23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive for a banned drug in late 2020 to early 2021.

Chinese swimming chiefs