Meeting Simone Biles is a dream come true for many, but for Georgia Gymnastics, that dream became a reality recently. Simone has always emphasized the strong relationships in her life—whether it’s with her friends, teammates, family, husband, or coaches. Among the key figures in her career is Cecile Landi, who coached her through both the Tokyo and Paris Olympics. Although Cecile has since moved on to become the co-head coach of Georgia Gymnastics after leaving Simone’s WCC gym, there is no animosity between them. In fact, Simone deeply values Cecile’s contributions to her career and recently showed her gratitude in a meaningful way.
Cecile Landi, now leading the Georgia GymDogs, has an impressive resume despite this being her first NCAA season as a co-head coach. Cecile, who served as Simone’s personal coach for eight years, brought with her an unmatched wealth of experience from working with Olympians. Recognizing the importance of this new chapter in Cecile’s career, Simone decided to attend Georgia’s meet against Boise State. She made the trip from Texas to Athens, accompanied by her husband, Jonathan Owens, to lend their support. Their presence seemed to inspire the GymDogs, who put on a stellar performance and secured a decisive victory.
The match against Boise State saw Georgia Gymnastics achieve a score of 196.825, while their opponents managed only 193.600. Georgia excelled across all events, earning 48.975 on vault, 49.375 on bars, 49.100 on beam, and another 49.375 on floor. Boise State, on the other hand, struggled on beam and floor, scoring 48.700 and 47.200 respectively, which contributed to their defeat. This victory was especially significant for Cecile, as it marked an uplifting moment after a challenging start to her tenure with Georgia.
Cecile expressed her excitement and gratitude on social media following the win. She shared a post showing Simone in a GymDogs jersey alongside Jonathan Owens, captioned, “A big W at home was made even more special by an appearance from Simone Biles!” The celebration continued with another post featuring a photo of Simone, Cecile, and Laurent Landi, Cecile’s husband and Simone’s former coach. Cecile thanked Simone for making the trip and highlighted the enduring bond they share.
For Simone, this visit was about more than just attending a meet—it was about showing unwavering loyalty to someone who had played a pivotal role in her journey. Despite their professional paths diverging, Simone and Cecile have maintained a close friendship, as evidenced by Simone’s heartfelt farewell message when Cecile left WCC: “End of an era. It’s not a goodbye, it’s a see you later!” This sentiment underscores their deep respect and affection for one another.
Jonathan Owens also played an important role during the visit, continuing to demonstrate his steadfast support for Simone and her friends. Known for his viral note-taking habit during Simone’s performances at the Paris Olympics, Jonathan reprised this role at the Georgia meet, meticulously tracking scores and cheering enthusiastically. Simone appreciated his dedication, calling him “a student of the game.” His involvement, along with Simone’s presence, added to the special atmosphere of the day.
Together, Simone and Jonathan cheered on the GymDogs, fully engaging with the crowd and the team’s energy. Their support was a testament to the strength of the relationships Simone has built throughout her career. This moment was a celebration of loyalty, friendship, and mutual respect, showing that the bonds formed in sports can endure and thrive beyond the competitive arena.