“There is simply nothing to watch, Simone Biles has no great performance” –
Russian gymnastics coach on American’s World Championships success.

Upon her return to international competition after two years, Simone Biles had an impressive outing at the 2023 Gymnastics World Championships. The American clinched five medals (four gold and one silver), making her the gymnast with the most Olympic and World Championship medals.

While most fans and enthusiasts of the sport were overjoyed to see Biles back to her winning ways, the head coach of the Russian artistic gymnastics team, Valentina Rodionenko, didn’t share the same sentiments.She said that Biles’ routine had no artistic element to it, adding that her winning solely based on the difficulty of her moves was unmerited.

In an interview with Match TV, Rodionenko said:
“I want to express my regrets about Biles’ victory. What is gymnastics? It’s scary to watch it! Do you think there is at least some kind of aesthetic there – low? There is simply nothing to watch. She has no great performance, only difficulty. She only wins through difficulty.”