Sawt Falasteen - Late-night 'pow-wow' cleared path to Olympic gold for Biles and US

"We were all full of nerves and not communicating," Biles said after a commanding victory in the women's team final in Paris.

"So we had a pow-wow in one of our rooms last night to chat about how the Olympics were going, that kind of thing."

She added: "We were trying to give support and let each other know we can lean on one another."

"It was really needed," chipped in team-mate Jordan Chiles.

Sunisa Lee agreed, telling the press conference after their emphatic win: "It helped me have a better understanding, it helped me a lot."

Lee and the rest of the American team evidently have enormous affection, admiration and respect for Biles, who led them to gold and is considered the greatest gymnast of all time.

"I'm there for them if they need help from me," said the 27-year-old Biles, when asked about her role model status.

It was Biles's fifth Olympic gold medal overall, but extra special after her difficult Tokyo Games in 2021.

"I think I speak for everyone when I say that we're all so proud and just so happy for Simone. I went to her and said, 'You did it'," said the Tokyo all-around champion Lee.

The USA team have been through a lot since Biles dramatically exited the Tokyo stage suffering from a mental block known as "the twisties" after her first vault in the team competition at the Covid-delayed 2020 Games.

Three years on, feeding off the energy of the packed and up for it crowd at the Bercy Arena, Biles smiled, tumbled and somersaulted her way to more glory, blowing a kiss to the crowd when her face filled the giant overhead screen.

"I think we all had something to prove from Tokyo and tonight we did just that," said Biles, the undoubted US team leader.

Biles's coach Cecile Landi expanded on that theme.

"They called it their 'redemption' tour and that's what it is," said the Texas-based French coach.

"They had fun today, they were nervous, they had a job to do."

Then referring to Biles she added: "Her gymnastics was good, her behaviour is great, her attitude with the girls -– all around, a great human being."

The United States combined for the highest score on all four apparatus for a total of 171.296 points and a huge 5.802-point margin over Italy, with Brazil claiming bronze.

Biles will be in action again on Thursday in the women's all-around final.

C.Hamad--SF-PST