Simone Biles and her former coach, Cecile Landi, shared a strong bond during their seven years together, a relationship marked by significant achievements. Under Cecile’s guidance, Biles earned six Olympic medals, making it one of the most successful periods of her career. Even after Cecile left Biles’ gym, WCC, their connection remained intact. This was evident when Cecile attended the premiere of Biles’ documentary, Simone Biles Rising, and shared photos from the event on Instagram.
In a reciprocal gesture of support, Biles announced she would attend the University of Georgia’s first gymnastics meet on January 17th, where Cecile will debut as the co-head coach of the NCAA team, the Georgia GymDogs. This announcement highlighted the respect and admiration Biles has for her former coach. The University of Georgia Gymnastics team shared the news on social media, stating, “We are super excited to announce that special guest Simone Biles will be attending the GymDogs’ first home meet of the season!✨ Join us as we honor our Olympians and alumni on January 17th vs. Boise State!”
The impact of Biles’ planned appearance was immediate, with tickets for the event selling out quickly. UGA Gymnastics celebrated this achievement on Instagram, and Cecile Landi shared the post in her story, expressing her excitement and gratitude. The event, with a sold-out capacity of 10,523 seats, is expected to generate over $200,000. Organizers are even considering adding more seats due to the overwhelming demand.
Simone’s involvement underscores her influence, not just in gymnastics but also in generating widespread attention and revenue for events. This collaboration also highlights the benefits of Cecile Landi’s appointment as the GymDogs’ coach. Landi brings a wealth of experience, having coached elite gymnasts like Biles and Jordan Chiles, which is expected to have a significant impact on Georgia’s gymnastics program.
Cecile Landi’s Transition to NCAA Coaching
Cecile Landi’s decision to leave WCC and join the Georgia GymDogs puzzled many fans. To clarify her move, Landi discussed her motivations on the Flipping Out with Bridget Sloan podcast. She shared that coaching in the NCAA had always been her dream, but she wanted to complete her commitments at WCC before making the transition.
The end of the Olympics presented the perfect opportunity for Landi to transition into college gymnastics. However, she had initially planned to wait until her daughter, Julliette Landi, graduated from high school. Despite her initial hesitation, Landi began receiving offers from NCAA programs, and the opportunity to join Georgia as a co-head coach was too compelling to pass up. Georgia’s coach, Ryan Roberts, was determined to bring Landi on board, even agreeing to wait until after the Paris Olympics for her to begin.
Reflecting on the decision, Landi said, “The opportunity was too great for me to pass up, and they were willing to wait after Paris to let me finish.” She is now poised to begin her new role, bringing her expertise and legacy to the NCAA program.
Simone Biles’ Influence
Biles’ participation in the event underscores her status as one of the most influential gymnasts of all time. Her ability to sell out events and generate excitement demonstrates her reach beyond competitive gymnastics. For the Georgia GymDogs, this partnership not only boosts their profile but also provides the team with inspiration and tangible evidence of their new coach’s capabilities.
Cecile Landi’s successful stint at WCC has already set the stage for her to excel at Georgia, and with Simone Biles’ endorsement, the GymDogs have every reason to be optimistic about their future.