Simone Biles’ coach didn’t shy away from criticizing Olympic gymnastics judges after her star pupil was penalized over an apparently minor transgression.
Biles’ penultimate performance in Paris ended with a fifth-place finish on the balance beam due to a rare tumble in the event.
Later her score of 13.100 reflected a 0.3-point deduction for failing to conclude her routine properly.
The issue, it turns out, was that Biles neglected to properly acknowledge the D1 judge at the end of her performance. According to International Gymnastics Federation’s Code of Points, gymnasts must ‘present themselves in the proper manner (arm/s up) and thereby acknowledge the D1 Judge at the commencement of her exercise and to acknowledge the same judge at the conclusion of her exercise.’
Afterwards, coach Cecile Landi questioned the decision along with many disappointed American gymnastics fans.
We watched it,’ she told reporters as quoted by USA Today. ‘I could see it, yes and no. I think it’s a little harsh, but at the end, it didn’t matter. So no, we’re not going to make a big deal out of it.’
