Simone Biles’ former coach, Cecile Landi, recently opened up about the risk-taking capabilities of the Olympic champion gymnast. Landi had mentored Biles from 2017 to 2024.
Landi once represented France as a gymnast at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. The gymnast-turned-coach is now working with the Georgia Gymdogs’ gymnastics team for the upcoming NCAA Championships.
Cecile Landi Talks About Transforming Simone Biles As Her Coach
Landi recently attended an interview on The Line with Dr. Kristen Holmes. During the interview, the French-American opened up about her journey as a gymnast-turned-coach, as well as her tenure as Biles’ coach. When asked about how she transformed Biles with her training methods, Landi remarked,
“I think for us was how can we challenge somebody that’s done everything. Um, so we were thinking outside the box on skills, on routines and everytime we offered something, she was like, ‘You’re crazy.’ And then we were like, ‘No, just give her us like try it.’ And then she would try like, ‘I think I can actually do this.’ I was like, ‘Okay.’ And so she would, she would go like that.” [18:50 onwards]
Landi previously mentioned in the same interview that she was initially hesitant about a gymnast of Biles’ stature, given her impeccable track record. However, the teacher and the pupil got along quickly and developed a strong bond together.
Landi’s Track Record As Biles’ Coach
Landi previously trained students at the WOGA [World Olympic Gymnastics Academy] from 2007 to 2017. It was then that she was approached by the World Champions Centre in Spring, Texas [which was managed by Biles’ adoptive parents, Ronald & Nellie] for the job of head coach. Landi accepted the post and began training the students at WCC, including Biles.
Landi’s first major stint with Biles turned out to be a mess, which was the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. One of the top favorites, Biles developed twisties before the team all-around finals and withdrew from most of the events, which received a lot of criticism. However, the gymnast didn’t give up, and it was Landi who helped her recover from the setback.
Landi, alongside her husband, Laurent Landi, was chosen as the head coach for the US women’s gymnastics team for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Around the same time, she was selected as the co-head coach of the Georgia Gymdogs.
However, Landi decided to first focus on the Paris Olympics, where the female gymnasts once again made Team USA proud, especially Biles, who won four medals [including three Olympic gold]. After the quadrennial event, Landi bid goodbye to the World Champions Centre.