With Simone Biles Out, Russians Win Women’s Team Gymnastics

Russian Olympic Committee's artistic gymnastics women's team, from left, Liliia Akhaimova, Viktoriia Listunova, Angelina Melnikova and Vladislava Urazova celebrate after winning the gold medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics, in Tokyo on July 27, 2021. Gregory Bull/AP Photo

TOKYO—Simone Biles came to Tokyo as the star of the U.S. Olympic movement and perhaps the Games themselves. It all came to a stunning halt in the women’s gymnastics final on Tuesday night with an uncertain vault.

In a flash, the rest of the American star’s Games came into question. And the United States’ long run at the top of the sport came to an end.