Suni Lee and Simone Biles did not perform at their best in the balance beam final at the Paris Olympics on Monday, and a tense atmosphere came under fire.
Lee and Biles were among the few skaters to skate on the balance beam during their performances, a miscalculation that cost the two American superstars a place on the podium.
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Suni Lee falls during the women’s gymnastics individual balance beam final at the Bercy Arena during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
But Lee, who won a bronze medal on the uneven bars earlier in the competition, noted the quiet, high-pressure atmosphere.
“We were just talking about how annoying it was to be kept quiet,” said Lee, who noticed the mood change as the crowd quieted down and the attention was on the gymnasts.
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Suni Lee falls at the Bercy Arena during the Paris Summer Olympics on Monday, August 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
“There was definitely pressure,” Lee added. “I don’t know if you could tell, but I’m sure a lot of people felt it. I think it was partly because of the crowd, but I think there was an added layer of pressure knowing it was almost over and wanting to finish it right.”
Lee said the lack of sound added to the pressure.
“Just being the only one at the top adds stress,” Lee said, “so I felt the pressure.”
On August 5, 2024, Suni Lee fell during the balance beam final at the Paris Olympics. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
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It was the first time since 2000 that an American athlete missed the podium on the balance beam.
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