Topics: News, Olympics, Sport, Simone Biles
Online conspiracy theorists have had there say on what really went down during the 2024 Paris Olympics balance beam final that saw Simone Biles and other gymnasts slip.
Yesterday (5 August) was the final day of Olympic gymnastic events, and Biles placed fifth in the balance beam final - a result which shocked many.
While she failed to place a medal in that event due to falling on the beam, Biles did gain a silver medal during in the individual floor exercise - marking, incredibly, her 11th Olympic medal to date - including seven gold.
Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade won gold, while Biles’ USA teammate Jordan Chiles took home bronze.
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It was an electrifying moment as all three winners stood on the iconic podium were outstanding Black women athletes - and is an image many young women of colour won't forget for a long time to come.
But beyond the fanfare of Biles winning so many medals during the 2024 Olympics, is many social media conspiracy theorists who have some very intriguing thoughts about the beam that multiple competitors slipped on during the balance beam final - including Biles' teammate Suni Lee.
One post on X ignited the conspiracy, with a user posting a compilation video and writing: "Now….. they all fell in a similar spot on the beam", with a face covering hands emoji.
Many people rushed in with their response.
One person wrote: "World class gymnast fell off on the same spot? nope that cant be a coincidence. Someone check that beam!"
Another said: "With all that I doubt this is just a coincidence like there must be something wrong with the beam."
While a third chimed: "Someone defo greased that spot."
Following her performance in the 2024 Olympics, Biles said: "I can’t be more proud of how I’ve done.
"I’m 27 years old walking away from this Games with four medals to add to my collection. Not mad about it.”
Though Biles did make comments about the atmosphere in the room during the balance beam final.
She said: "It was really weird and awkward, not our favourite. None of us liked it", referencing the way the crowd kept 'shushing' gymnasts for cheering each other on.
She continued: "Honestly, we do better in environments when there’s noise going on because it feels most like practice."
Lee went on to add: "You could feel the tension in the room. I mean, the crowd shushing us for cheering like we were, we didn’t like that because it’s just so silent in there.
“I love hearing my teammates cheer for me.”
Tyla has reached out to the 2024 Paris Olympics for comment.
