The redemption tour is on.

Simone Biles led Team USA through a rock solid rotation on the vault Tuesday evening (30 July) in the opening moments of the women’s artistic gymnastics team final at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

The 27-year-old anchored the event for her squad with a 14.900, giving the Americans a 44.100 to 42.666 lead of the People’s Republic of China.

Three years ago, the U.S. finished a stunning second after entering Tokyo as the heavy favourites. Biles withdrew after botching her attempt at a two-and-a-half twisting vault to priortise her mental health as she dealt with what gymnasts call the ‘twisties,’ where the body and mind fall out of sync.

That finish has motived her – and fellow Tokyo returners Jordan Chiles, Suni Lee and Jade Carey.

“This is definitely our redemption tour,” said Biles at the recent U.S. Olympic trials. “I feel like we all have more to give… I feel like we have a lot of weight on our shoulders to go out there and prove that we’re better athletes, we’re more mature, we’re smarter, we’re more consistent.”

After two rotations, the Americans had pushed their advantage to 3.102 points with Lee leading the way on the uneven bars with 14.566.

More to come.