For Italy and Brazil, losing to Simone Biles' Team USA at the Olympics was yet another victory
PARIS: Watching the celebrations after the women's gymnastics team final at the Paris Olympics, it was impossible to say who won.
Team USA led by Simone Biles? Brazilian star Rebeca Andrade and her teammates? Or the Italy team led by 17-year-old Manila Esposito?
Athletes from three nations erupted in cheers as the final scores flashed on the giant screens inside the raucous Bercy Arena. As the legion of American fans began to chant “USA! USA!” their Brazilian counterparts danced and waved blue, green and yellow flags. The Italians embraced each other warmly.
The Americans' total of 171,296 made Biles the most decorated Olympic gymnast in US history with her eighth gold medal.
But it was also a historic day for Italy and Brazil.
Italy's silver medal was its first at the event since 1928, while Brazil had never before won a team medal.
“We still don't know what that means,” Italy's Alice D'Amato said when asked about the runner-up finish.
The Brazilian team was the last to leave the arena floor. They lingered under the bleachers, and Andrade was even lifted by her teammates so she could hug the fans hanging over the railing.
“It's magical that we did it,” said Jade Barbosa from Brazil. “It's pure magic. Brazil was not big in this sport. We had a lot of great individuals, but now we have a great group of gymnasts.”
Team Italy finished with a score of 165.494 to Brazil's 164.497 after Angela Andreoli delivered a strong floor routine.
“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 my cool.”
Brazil's hopes of a podium finish were almost dashed before the start of the competition when Flavia Saraiva injured her right eye during the warm-up.
“I couldn't see, he was bleeding, but the team doctor told me everything was fine,” Saraiva said. “I think my knee hit me in the eye when I tripped. This is not the first time this has happened to me. I might need some stitches.”
With a bandage over her eye, Saraiva continued. She was careful on the bars and didn't fall on the beam, then performed an easier version of the floor exercise and ended her night with a strong vault.
“We are warriors,” Saraiva said.
Her teammate, Andrade, was excellent on all fours, delivering gorgeous floor layouts paired with a 15.100 on vault. If she performs at that level in Thursday's all-around final, she could give Biles a run for gold.
