Algeria’s Kaylia Nemour made history at the Paris Olympics by becoming the first African gymnast to win an Olympic medal. She secured the gold with a breathtaking routine on the asymmetric bars, stunning the audience at Bercy Arena. The 17-year-old’s fast-paced performance, featuring several complex release-and-catch maneuvers, delighted the crowd. They came to support a gymnast who had previously represented France.
China’s Qiu Qiyuan, the 2023 world champion, took the silver medal, while American Sunisa Lee captured her second consecutive Olympic bronze on the apparatus with 14.800 points. In the men’s competitions, Carlos Edriel Yulo of the Philippines won the vault title. This victory marked his second Olympic gold in as many days after he triumphed in the floor exercise on Saturday. Artur Davtyan of Armenia claimed the silver, while Britain’s Harry Hepworth took the bronze.
On the rings, Liu Yang successfully defended his Olympic title to earn China their first gymnastics gold in Paris. His compatriot Zou Jingyuan took the silver, and Eleftherios Petrounias of Greece claimed the bronze.
Fans roared and jumped to their feet as soon as Nemour completed her dismount from the asymmetric bars. She immediately broke down in tears, having just handed Algeria their first medal of the Paris Olympics. Her performance scored a staggering 15.700 points, solidifying her position as a favorite to win gold. Still in disbelief after the competition, Nemour said, “I can’t believe this happened. This is too much. I have no words.”
Nemour performed after Chinese teenager Qiu Qiyuan, who had executed a spectacular routine to briefly top the standings with 15.500 points. “When I saw her result of 15.500 points, I told myself that I would really need to fight,” Nemour explained. “I re-focused quickly and got the best mark of my life, and it was the right time to get it.”
The Algerian Olympic Committee issued a statement calling Nemour a legend. “You showed the world the strength and determination of Algeria with your wonderful victory,” the statement read. American gymnast Sunisa Lee could be seen cheering for Nemour throughout her routine. “I was really aiming for third place because I actually really wanted Kaylia to win, just because she’s so incredible,” said Lee, who won her sixth Olympic medal.
Nina Derwael of Belgium, who won on the apparatus at the last Games, finished just 0.034 points off the podium. British gymnast Rebecca Downie’s hopes of finishing on the podium were shattered when she fell off the apparatus while attempting her signature release-and-catch move. She finished seventh out of eight finalists. However, she returned to complete her routine, nailing her dismount and breaking into a smile as she saluted the crowd, ending her Olympic efforts in Paris.
Another gymnast who emerged as a national hero was Carlos Edriel Yulo of the Philippines. His second gold medal of the Games made him the first Filipino to win two Olympic golds. “Winning yesterday took away all of my stress,” Yulo said. “Today I was more chilled and relaxed. It helped me give it all because there was nothing to lose anymore.”
On Saturday, the 24-year-old became the first Filipino to capture an Olympic gymnastics title with his victory on the floor exercise, a feat that also earned him a new home. Asked if he will now get two houses, one for each gold medal, he joked, “I think so, but I should really check if that’s true.”
The final artistic gymnastics events of the Paris Games will take place on Monday. The men’s parallel and horizontal bar finals, as well as the women’s balance beam and floor exercise, will be contested. American Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast of all time, will be chasing two more golds to add to the three she has already won in Paris.
