Olympics Balance Beam Final Goes Silent: Suni Lee Reveals Gymnasts Felt the Eerie Calm

PARIS, France — The typically vibrant Bercy Arena fell unusually silent during the balance beam finals of the Paris Games on Monday, creating an eerie atmosphere that seemed to unsettle many athletes. Among those affected were Simone Biles, Sunisa Lee, Brazil’s Julia Soares, and Romania’s Sabrina Maneca-Voinea, all of whom fell during their routines.

Italy’s Alice D’Amato managed to stay focused and wobbled only slightly, securing a gold medal. “We were just talking about how annoying it was to be shushed,” said Lee, reflecting on the unusual quiet that contrasted sharply with the usually noisy backdrop of gymnastics meets.

Typically, a constant wall of sound fills the arena during competitions, serving as a kind of white noise for athletes. However, during the individual event finals, the music was turned off, leaving competitors to perform in near silence. This change was most palpable on the balance beam, a notoriously difficult apparatus that demands intense concentration.

Even NFL legend Tom Brady, present among the spectators, didn’t change the hushed environment. The silence was so profound that some fans even hushed others for making noise, further contributing to the tension.

Lee and Biles, both of whom slipped at the end of their routines, noticed the added pressure. “The pressure was definitely on,” Lee admitted. “I think it was the crowd but also just knowing that we’re so close to being done and just adding that extra stress of wanting to end it off the right way.”

Lee, a 21-year-old six-time Olympic medalist, joked that she wondered if photographers just feet away could hear her breathing. “It adds to the stress, just because it’s like you, yes, you’re the only one up there,” she said, acknowledging the mental strain of performing in such a silent setting.