Biles greatest gymnast ever; gender issue erupts

MANILA, Philippines — Simone Biles recaptured her all-around gymnastics crown on Thursday for her sixth Olympic gold and second in Paris, as a gender eligibility row in boxing shook the Games and sparked broader debate.

Already considered the greatest gymnast of all time, America’s Biles made another piece of history as the first woman to regain the Olympic all-around title, having won it in 2016.

Biles capped another scintillating performance with an electrifying floor routine to Taylor Swift’s hit song “Ready for It?,” her high-flying tumbling bringing the crowd to its feet.

Biles famously withdrew from most of her events in Tokyo three years ago because of a debilitating condition that gymnasts call the “twisties” but earned plaudits for speaking openly about her mental health.

Biles led the United States to women’s team gold this week, the first chapter of what has been billed as a redemption tour for her and her teammates.

The 27-year-old could add three more golds in Paris as she competes in the apparatus finals on the vault, floor exercise and balance beam.

“Three years ago I never thought I’d step on a gymnastic court again, but worked hard, mentally and physically, even saw my therapist this morning, just making sure I’m mentally well,” she said.

‘Forever tarnished’

The sporting action threatened to be overshadowed by a major controversy involving an Algerian boxer who failed a gender eligibility test last year.

Imane Khelif took just 46 seconds to overwhelm her battered, beaten and distraught Italian opponent Angela Carini.

Khelif is one of two athletes competing in women’s boxing in Paris despite failing to meet the eligibility criteria for the world championships last year.

Carini refused to shake hands with Khelif after a one-sided fight and the Italian sank to her knees and sobbed in the middle of the ring.

She said: “My nose started dripping (with blood) from the first hit.”

The bout sparked an immediate reaction from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who said the fight was “not on an equal footing,” while prominent public figures from around the world also weighed in.

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, outspoken on similar issues, said the Games were “forever tarnished by the brutal injustice done to Carini.”