Simone Biles Rising (Netflix)

[MaryClare]

I've just finished these too. Has it been enough time for us to talk about it without worrying about spoiling?

Maybe one of the mods can put spoiler alert in the title

 

[RedBirdie]

IMO, discuss away. It's been over a week.

 

[OnlyBeansOnToast]

I thought the final two parts were rather flat compared to the genuinely interesting first pair. Maybe because they were trying to inject some DRAMA and TENSION despite everyone already knowing how the story ends.

Also I'm still really distracted by how far forward Simone has to have her car seat in order for her feet to reach the pedals. I have a mental picture of her husband jumping in one morning and breaking both his knees.

 

[ArnoldRimmer]

Well the real drama was the final day of EFs, as it turned out, but I can see why they didn't want that to be a significant part of the narrative. The main goal had clearly always been the AA, after all. It would also have been really hard to do without it being partially about Jordan, and I can see why they'd decide it was easiest to avoid the issue altogether.

I liked the bit when Simone said everyone says I'm not human, but Rebeca isn't either. She's right! Imagine having to compete against someone as good as Rebeca.

 

[Sasha]

Imagine being Rebeca and having to alternate between torn ACLs and competing against Simone. Sans health problems and in a different era, she could have absolutely cleaned up.

 

[Hatsumomo]

I want to see a similar documentary for Rebeca Andrade. I will learn Portuguese (well, I already am, I'll just be more diligent about it) to watch it if need be. Decades watching this sport and we've seen one ACL tear either end careers or gymnasts come back not as good as they were prior. But Rebeca has three and comes back to challenge one of the greats. That's just insane to me.

Imagine being Rebeca and having to alternate between torn ACLs and competing against Simone. Sans health problems and in a different era, she could have absolutely cleaned up.

I think if you just took out the injuries, Rebeca would've been a constant challenge against Simone and likely have beaten her for gold more than once in more than one event. There are a lot of what ifs that come up if you have a Rebeca as resistant to injury like Simone, like would she be as hesitant on beam, would she be regularly competing the TTY, would her overall difficulty increase, and so on. And then there's the question if Simone's gymnastics have the same issues under the Landis if gold weren't such an assurance.

 

[ArnoldRimmer]

Great points. I'm continually impressed with how Rebeca has managed her career since the 3rd tear, but it's a shame she's never been able to go fully lights out in an AA. Even if she's got good reason.

It's telling, I think, that Larisa is the only person who's ever shown good enough gymnastics in any one championship to beat Simone. Nanning is the one occasion when the 2nd best gymnast's top scores throughout the championship are higher than Simone's total in the AA final.

 

[MaryClare]

I want to see a similar documentary for Rebeca Andrade. I will learn Portuguese (well, I already am, I'll just be more diligent about it) to watch it if need be. Decades watching this sport and we've seen one ACL tear either end careers or gymnasts come back not as good as they were prior. But Rebeca has three and comes back to challenge one of the greats. That's just insane to me.

I think if you just took out the injuries, Rebeca would've been a constant challenge against Simone and likely have beaten her for gold more than once in more than one event. There are a lot of what ifs that come up if you have a Rebeca as resistant to injury like Simone, like would she be as hesitant on beam, would she be regularly competing the TTY, would her overall difficulty increase, and so on. And then there's the question if Simone's gymnastics have the same issues under the Landis if gold weren't such an assurance.

Whilst it is remarkable, I am not surprised that Rebeca has managed to be at the top of her game despite several ACL surgeries. The problem with ACL is often the management of fitness during recovery, rather than the actual healing of the ligaments. One thing that is noticeable about Brazil’s program is their fitness training. They are all in ridiculous shape. It’s probably also why several of them have had very long careers

 

[rlayt]

I want to see a similar documentary for Rebeca Andrade. I will learn Portuguese (well, I already am, I'll just be more diligent about it) to watch it if need be. Decades watching this sport and we've seen one ACL tear either end careers or gymnasts come back not as good as they were prior. But Rebeca has three and comes back to challenge one of the greats. That's just insane to me.

I think if you just took out the injuries, Rebeca would've been a constant challenge against Simone and likely have beaten her for gold more than once in more than one event. There are a lot of what ifs that come up if you have a Rebeca as resistant to injury like Simone, like would she be as hesitant on beam, would she be regularly competing the TTY, would her overall difficulty increase, and so on. And then there's the question if Simone's gymnastics have the same issues under the Landis if gold weren't such an assurance.

I’ll be eager to watch but it’s gotta have subtitles.

 

[Big_rock_show]

I loved the last two episodes. It was fun reliving it through Simone’s eyes and hearing her family’s perspectives.
I love how Simone talks about her competition and what motivates her; especially when she actually was given a run for her money by Andrade.

She seems to indicate she’s done with competing in gymnastics. Understandable, for sure! I’m sure she’ll find her way into a different role in the gymnastics community somewhere.

 

[ArnoldRimmer]

I don't set much store by anything people say about retiring at this point, especially the ones who have a home Olympics next time round. Exceptions apply for people who are obviously unable to do it any more or on the verge, like Ferrari. Which isn't to say they're not telling the truth, just that it's far too soon and a lot more has to happen first.

 

[OnlyBeansOnToast]

I’m sure she’ll find her way into a different role in the gymnastics community somewhere.

Moderator at ChalkBucket.

 

[Hatsumomo]

I don't set much store by anything people say about retiring at this point, especially the ones who have a home Olympics next time round. Exceptions apply for people who are obviously unable to do it any more or on the verge, like Ferrari. Which isn't to say they're not telling the truth, just that it's far too soon and a lot more has to happen first.

I imagine the athletes are still exhausted from Paris and everything that comes after a successful Olympics. Four years is simultaneously a long and short time from now. Once the Winter Olympics start, the home Summer Olympics hype machine will start here in the USA. The ones saying "Eh, IDK" now may very well be singing a different tune by 2027-2028.