US gymnastics great Biles aims to lock up Paris berth at US Olympic trials

MINNEAPOLIS, United States – Simone Biles looks all but unstoppable as she vies to punch her ticket to Paris at the US Olympic gymnastics trials this week, where competition to fill out the five-woman roster promises to be fierce.

Biles captured her ninth US all-around title earlier this month, winning on all four apparatus at the US championships in Fort Worth, Texas.

Coach Cecile Landi said Biles's success in managing her mental health combined with sheer talent and a formidable work ethic mean the 27-year-old could be better than ever as a third trip to the Olympics beckons.

"I think we always knew she could be better," Landi said Wednesday (Thursday Manila time) as women began training at the Target Center in Minneapolis, where the trials start on Thursday with men's competition.

"She's the most talented athlete I've ever worked with and so we just knew if she could get her mental game as well as her physical game, then she would be close to unstoppable."

Biles dazzled in winning four gold medals at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, but her expected star turn at the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Games was cut short when she withdrew with the "twisties" — a temporary mental block whereby gymnasts lose their sense of where they are in the air.

Since returning to competition in August she has gone from strength to strength, piling up more medals including all-around gold at the world championships last year.

Landi said a better work-life balance had only helped Biles in the gym.

"All the work she's been doing outside the gym and just being 27, married, she has other stuff going on and I think it helps her keep a good balance," Landi said. "It's not only about gymnastics and I think that keeps her sane."

Nevertheless, the Olympic trials are a nerve-wracking affair: two days of competition each for women and men with the athletes emerging as the all-around winners securing their Olympic berths.

A selection committee will then choose the remaining team members, taking into account performances at trials and other competitions including the national championships, as well as what combination of athletes might give the United States their best Olympic scoring chances.

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