Simone Biles' former coach Cecile Landi drops three-word reaction as the gymnast gets named SI's Sportsperson of the Year

Simone Biles had a phenomenal 2024 as she returned to the top of the gymnastics world and further established her status as the most decorated gymnast of all-time. For her achievements, the American was named Sports Illustrated’s Sportsperson of the Year, and her former coach, Cecile Landi, was quick to extend her congratulations.

After spending a decade at the World Olympics Gymnastics Academy, Landi first became Biles’ coach in 2017, when she joined the World Champions Centre. Under her guidance, the gymnast continued to grow to new heights, winning 13 World Championships gold medals and 6 Olympic medals.

In 2024, Cecile Landi announced that she had signed as the head coach of the University of Georgia’s gymnastics team, and would be leaving WCC after the Paris Olympics. However, despite no longer being Simone Biles' coach, the 45-year-old is still supportive of the gymnast.

On Friday (January 3), she took to her Instagram stories to congratulate Biles on being named SI’s Sportsperson of the Year. Reposting the official announcement post, Landi wrote,

“So well deserved.”

She also added a sticker that read ‘gorgeous’.

Via Cecile Landi's Instagram story

Simone Biles thanks Cecile Landi after her 2024 season

Biles and Landi at the Paris Olympics (Image Source: Getty)

For Simone Biles, her 2024 season couldn't have gone better. While she achieved new heights in the gymnastics world, she also had a great year outside of the gym, releasing a Netflix documentary, appearing on The Voice, and embarking upon the second iteration of her Gold Over America Tour.

Reflecting in her year, Biles extended her thanks to coach Cecile Landi and USA Gymnastics Women's National Team Physician Dr. Marcia Faustin, penning a heartfelt note of the both of them. Taking to her Instagram, she shared photos of herself posing with the two, and wrote,

“Before the year ends, I wanna highlight these two ladies. Thanks for keeping me sane this year and making sure I never gave up on my dreams. Much love.”

Simone Biles' 2024 began at the US Classic, where she won gold in the all-around and floor exercise events upon her season debut. At the Classic, she also won silver on the balance beam and uneven bars events.

From there, the gymnast moved on to the US National Championships, where she achieved a clean sweep of all the five podiums. This marked the second time she achieved this feat. With her all-around win at the national championships, Biles also extended her own record of most national championships titles to nine.

Simone Biles wrapped up her competitive season at the Paris Olympics, where she won three gold medals and one silver medal, making her the most decorated US Olympic gymnast of all-time.