Simone Biles wins 4th Olympic gymnastics gold

Biles recovers from a disappointing performance on the beam to take floor title

Simone Biles put the finishing touches on one of the greatest Olympics by a gymnast, capturing her fourth gold of the games with a showstopping performance in the floor exercise on Tuesday.

The 19-year-old American completed an extraordinary stretch that included a team gold for the “Final 5” as well as individual golds in the all-around and vault and bronze on balance beam. Her 5 medals tie the most for an American female gymnast in a single Olympics and her 4 golds tie an Olympic record shared by 4 others.

Biles embraced her longtime coach shortly after her routine – which includes a tumbling pass named in her honor and a Brazilian-themed segment intended to play to the crowd in Rio – and beamed when her score of 15.966 was posted.

Buoyant in a glittery red, white and blue leotard, Biles spent 90 seconds showcasing her talent. She does not tumble so much as fly, her 4-foot-8 frame soaring over the white mat as if she was trying to touch the video board 3 stories above. She plans to take a break following the closing ceremonies and try to adjust to a life that will never be the same after nine days that elevated her from gymnastics’ best-kept secret to star.

Teammate Aly Raisman followed with a 15.500 silver-medal performance to give her a 3rd medal during Rio and 6 overall in her Olympic career.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press