Biles seeks to extend Olympic gold rush as Duplantis targets world record

PARIS – Simone Biles is targeting two more Olympic golds on Monday to crown a historic Games in Paris as pole vault king Armand Duplantis aims for yet another world record.

Biles, widely considered the greatest gymnast in history, can end all debate if she triumphs in the balance beam and floor exercises at the Bercy Arena.

The 27-year-old on Saturday claimed her third gold in Paris, winning the vault to take her overall Olympics tally to seven golds.

Her astounding achievements come just three years after she famously imploded in Tokyo, suffering from the debilitating mental block known as the "twisties."

Hailed by many for prioritizing her mental health, some also criticized Biles as a quitter three years ago.

As she burnishes an Olympic legacy launched with four golds in Rio, Biles has noticed the critics are silent.

"They're really quiet now, so that's strange," she said with a laugh after winning vault gold.

The veteran admits she is "getting old" but is tempted to compete in her home Olympic Games in Los Angeles in four years' time.

Sweden's Duplantis is similarly dominant in pole vaulting and is likely to be competing against himself as much as the rest of the field as he pushes for a ninth world record.

The 24-year-old US-born prodigy has been practically unbeatable in the event for five years after finishing with a silver medal at the 2019 World Championships in Doha.

The main question over Duplantis is just how high he can go. He set a new world record of 6.24 meters earlier this season.

The reigning Olympic champion said he is comfortable with being the overwhelming favorite to win at the Stade de France.

"You just get used to it. Every competition I go to I'm going to be a big favourite. It is what it is. The reason for that is that I have been showing it as well.

"I go into every competition trying to jump as high as I possibly can. I think it should be enough to do what I know I can do. You get used to it and you know how to control it."

Dutch runner Sifan Hassan goes in the final of the women's 5,000m, as she hunts a golden treble of 5,000, 10,000m and marathon to match Czech athlete Emil Zatopek, who achieved the feat at the 1952 Helsinki Games.