Simone Biles’ former WCC coach Cecile Landi gives a surprise visit to the Olympian at GOAT stop in Georgia

Simone Biles' former World Champions Center coach Cecile Landi attended her former tutee-headlined Gold Over America tour at Gas South Arena in Duluth, Georgia. Landi recently embarked on her new journey as the co-head coach of the gymnastics team at the University of Georgia.

Landi, who has trained the 11-time Olympic medalist since the beginning of 2017, was part of the coaching team at the 2018, 2019, and 2023 World Championships, helping the US gymnastics women to the all-around titles. On April 25, 2024, the Olympian's long-time coach was announced as the co-head coach alongside Ryan Roberts for the Georgia Bulldogs gymnastics team.

As her new role is underway, the 45-year-old accompanied her Georgia Bulldogs members to the Gold Over America tour stop at Gas South Arena, Duluth. In a recent Instagram story, she was delighted to share the frame with her former trainees, Biles and French gymnast Melanie dos Santos, who performed at their GOAT stop on October 13, 2024.

"Loved seeing you and the show tonight," her caption read.

Cecile Landi, Simone Biles and Melanie Dos Santos; Instagram - @cecilelandi

She also posed with fellow Georgia gymnastics coach Marissa King and gave a shout out to her apparel and accessory partner in another Instagram post.

"Gold Over America Tour. Thank you to @ameliasapparel & @leighannbarnes_official for making us look amazing for the show! Go Dawgs."

In October 2024, Biles' ex-coach was named the Coach of the Year for women's artistic by USA Gymnastics. On receiving the honor, Landi got appreciation from the former, who took to her Instagram story to write:

"No one deserves this more!! Truly lucky to have been coached by her!"

Simone Biles lauds Cecile Landi; Instagram - @simonebiles

The Olympian's fellow WCC team member Jordan Chiles also lauded Landi on her achievement.

Simone Biles penned a heartfelt farewell note when Cecile Landi geared up for her new role at the University of Georgia

Simone Biles and Cecile Landi at the Gymnastics during the Paris 2024 Olympics. - Source: Getty

Cecile Landi was not only a gymnastics coach to Biles but also a constant support when the latter faced 'twisties' at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Since then, the coach-and-athlete duo has inspired each other and achieved massive success at the 2024 Paris Olympics. When Landi was declared co-head coach for the Bulldogs, Biles called it the end of an era but refused to call it a 'goodbye'.

"end of an era. It's not a goodbye, it's a see you later"

Before Landi graced the World Champions Center in Spring, Texas in 2017, she was a coach at the World Olympic Gymnastics, having served from 2007 to 2017.

About the author

Agnijeeta is a US Olympics journalist at Sportskeeda. She holds a Master’s degree in English and has worked as a school teacher, a blogger, a content writer and a sports writer over the past 5 years. A lover of high-adrenaline track and field events, she was also a sprinter during her school days.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone happens to be her favorite Olympian, and the athlete’s feat of breaking four records within 13 months inspires her, apart from the American's body language on and off the track. Grant Hackett swimming with a partially dysfunctional lung and winning gold in Athens is her all-time favorite Olympic moment.

Agnijeeta believes that deriving of unique angles from podcasts and interviews carried out by Olympics.com, along with hype-building of potential Olympic events on social media can help fill the coverage gap during the off season.

When not at her work desk, Agnijeeta likes to sing and paint. She also plays string instruments like guitar and ukulele and is an avid player of word puzzles.

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Edited by Vaishnavi Iyer