You go, girls! Simone Biles and Aly Raisman finished first and second during the qualifying round for women’s gymnastics at the Rio Olympics on Sunday, August 7, moving them on to the all-around final later during the games.
Their victory also means that their U.S. women’s gymnastics teammate Gabby Douglas will not be competing in the all-around, since only two athletes per country are allowed to compete. All three gymnasts broke 60 and were at least one point ahead of the fourth-place finisher, according to NBC Olympics.
This means that Douglas will not be able to defend the title she won at the London Olympics four years ago.
Biles, 19, was the big star at Sunday’s qualifying event, while Raisman, 22, similarly brought her A-game to the floor, and all of her teammates came over to hug her after she was done.
Earlier in the day, Biles’ proud mother, Nellie, sent her daughter a few sweet tweets of encouragement as the first-time Olympian prepared for her big day.
“Long term goal is here/embrace the experience and have fun,” the elder Biles tweeted at Simone. “I love you – Mom.”
Simone retweeted her mother’s encouraging words and shared a message of her own. “Mom I am ready – your words give me comfort – I love you.”
