For Italy and Brazil, losing to Team USA Simone Biles at the Olympics still felt like a victory
PARIS: Watching the celebrations after the women's gymnastics team final in Paris on Tuesday, it was impossible to tell who had won.
Team USA led by Simone Biles? Brazil star Rebecca Andrade and her teammates? Or the Italian team led by 17-year-old Manila Esposito?
Athletes from the three countries erupted in cheers as the results flashed on the giant screens in the bustling Bercy Arena. A legion of American fans began chanting “USA! USA!” while their Brazilian counterparts danced and waved blue-green-yellow flags. The Italians embraced warmly.
The Americans' total score of 171.296 made Biles the most decorated Olympic gymnast in US history with her eighth gold medal.
But it was a historic day for Italy and Brazil too.
Italy's silver medal was the first in the competition since 1928, while Brazil had never won a team medal before.
“We still need to understand what that means,” Italy's Alisa D'Amato said when asked about second place.
The last floor of the arena was left by the Brazilian national team. They got stuck under the stands, and Andrade was even lifted up by her teammates so she could hug fans hanging over the railing.
“It's amazing that we did it,” said Jade Barboza from Brazil. “This is pure magic. Brazil wasn't big on the sport. We've had a lot of great individuals, but now we have a great group of gymnasts.”
Italy finished with a score of 165.494, bettering Brazil's 164.497 after Angelo Andreoli produced a strong floor performance.
“I knew it was an important routine to be on the podium,” Andreoli said. “I was under pressure, but my partners were able to help me keep calm.”
Brazil's hopes of a podium finish were almost dashed before the competition began when Flavia Saraiva injured her right eye during the warm-up.
“I didn't see it, it was bleeding, but the team doctor told me everything was fine,” Saraiva said. “I think my knee hit my eye when I tripped. Not the first time with me. I might need some stitches.'
With an eye patch, Saraiva led the way. She was careful on the bars and didn't fall on the beam, then did an easier version of the free exercise and ended her evening with a strong vault.
“We are warriors,” Saraiva said.
Her teammate Andrade was outstanding on four apparatus, delivering superb layouts on floor combined with a 15.100 on vault. If she performs at that level during Thursday's all-around finals, she could give Biles a shot at gold.
