2017. That’s when Cecile Landi started working with Simone Biles. She was right beside the gymnast during her 2021 Tokyo debacle and also as Biles won four Olympic medals in Paris. But all good things must come to an end…
Coach Cecile Landi is now gearing up to join the University of Georgia as the co-head coach. This comes in after the former coach Courtney Kupets Carter was fired by the institute, followed by the assistant coach Ryan Roberts stepping up instead. But now, it’s Landi and Roberts who are about to take the college forward. How did Biles react to Landi’s adieu?
As per The Washington Post, when Landi got a call from Roberts, she agreed after an initial hitch about the timing. She first thought that next year would be ideal, as her daughter would complete her last year of high school. But, she eventually came around stating, “I don’t think I’ll get that good of an opportunity anytime soon.”
And guess who was the first person to hype her up? Yes, it was Biles. The gymnast encouraged her, stating, “Simone was the first one to tell me: I’m so happy for you. You need to go.”
Also, after Landi’s official press release in April, voicing that she would be joining the Bulldogs, Biles had shown her support. In fact, Biles posted on social media, “Congratulations Cecile, I can’t think of a more deserving person.” She also assured UGA Gymnastics that they were in great hands. On the other hand, Cecile’s husband, Laurent, is going to continue his association with the WCC.
When it comes to Simone Biles, people have noticed that the 27-year-old is supportive of those around her. Remember how she bowed to Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade and gave people an iconic medal moment in Paris? Then, throughout the years, she has been supportive of her teammates like Jordan Chiles and Suni Lee. This clearly shows her sportsmanship and positive outlook. Similarly, Cecile Landi has great regard for Biles.
Working with Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles closely, Landi learned a lot as a coach. “Talking with Simone and with the girls…I just want them to know that they can tell me anything. I watch the body language a lot, I try to see. Then I ask, ‘What’s going on? Are you OK? Do you want to talk?” the 1996 Olympian-turned-coach shared in 2023.
She also gave attention to her athletes’s mental health. During the Tokyo Games, when Biles decided to withdraw, Landi supported her decision. “I think we try to listen a little bit more to the athletes because mental health was not real in the nineties for me. It was, ‘You are lazy, you just don’t want to do it,’ or any kind of things like that they would say to us,” Landi recalled.
A recent example of this would be her standing by Jordan Chiles’ side throughout the Paris Olympics bronze medal controversy. When the Court of Arbitration of Sport revoked the decision and declared Ana Barbosu as the bronze medalist, Chiles was seemingly crestfallen. Being subjected to a lot of negativity, she decided to take a break from social media for her mental health. This is when Cecile Landi added a story that read ‘#mentalhealthmatters.’
Even before this, Landi had tried to shun the naysayers. She said, “You don’t have to like it, but you do have to respect the outcome and, more importantly, respect Jordan. She EARNED that bronze medal, her 1st individual Olympic medal…” And to date, Team USA and Cecile Landi refuse to back down, as their fight continues. What do you think of Landi’s support of Jordan Chiles and Simone Biles throughout the years? Let us know in the comments below.
