For Italy and Brazil, losing to Simone Biles' American team at the Olympics still felt like a win.
PARIS: Watching the women's gymnastics team's celebration after Tuesday's final at the Paris Olympics, it was hard to tell who won.
Team USA led by Simone Biles? Brazil star Rebecca Andrade and her teammates? Or the Italian team led by 17-year-old Manila Esposito?
Athletes from the three nations erupted in cheers as the final scores flashed on giant screens inside the raucous Bercy Arena. Legions of American fans chanted “USA! USA!”, their Brazilian counterparts danced and waved blue, green and yellow flags. The Italians hugged each other warmly.
The Americans' total of 171.296 made Bills the most decorated Olympic gymnast in American history with her eighth gold medal.
But it was also a historic day for Italy and Brazil.
Italy's silver medal was their first at the tournament since 1928, while Brazil had never won a team medal before.
“We still don't understand what it means,” Italian Alice D'Amato said when asked about the second-place finish.
The Brazilian team was the last to leave the arena floor. They sat under the grandstand, and Andrade was even lifted by teammates so he could hug supporters hanging over the railing.
“It's magical that we did it,” said Brazil's Jade Barbosa. “It's pure magic. Brazil wasn't big in the sport. We had a lot of great people, but now we have a great group of gymnasts.”
The Italian team finished with a score of 165.494 to the better of Brazil's 164.497 after Angela Andreoli delivered a strong routine on floor.
“I knew it was an important routine to be on the podium,” Andreoli said. “I was under pressure, but my partners were able to help me stay calm.”
Brazil's hopes of a podium finish were almost dashed before the start of the competition when Flavia Saraiva suffered an injury to her right eye during the warm-up.
“I couldn't see, I was bleeding, but the team doctor told me everything was fine,” said Saraiva. “I believe my knee hit my eye when I tripped. It's not the first time this has happened to me. I probably need some stitches.”
Blindfolded, Saraiwa went to the soldier. She was alert on the bars and didn't fall on the beam, then performed an easier version of her floor exercise and ended her night with a strong vault.
“We are warriors,” Saraiwa said.
Her teammate Andrade was outstanding on four apparatus, combining with excellent layouts on floor and a 15.100 on vault. If she performs at that level in Thursday's all-around final, she could give Biles a run for gold.
