As Simone Biles’ coach at the World Champions Centre, Cecile Landi played a pivotal role in helping Biles secure seven Olympic medals. Earlier this year, Laurent Landi’s wife and the former Olympian announced that she would be transitioning to Georgia University before the next academic year. She is ready to take on the role of co-head coach alongside Ryan Roberts for the women’s gymnastics program (the GymDogs) at the University of Georgia. Ahead of her move, Simone and her husband, Jonathan Owens, pampered Landi with a heartfelt gift.
The couple extended a token of gratitude for all that Landi has done. This gesture underscores the strong bond in the gymnastics community and highlights Landi’s remarkable influence. An overwhelmed Landi took to her Instagram to share it with her followers.
Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens celebrate Cecile Landi’s move to collegiate gymnastics
Cecile Landi posted a story on Instagram saying, “Thank you” with a heart to Simone Biles and her husband Jonathan Owens for their wonderful gift before she moves to Georgia. Previously Biles’ mother had said there was no bad blood between them and Cecile and the story proves it. The photo shows a layout of gifts: a red Coach pouch, two black bags embossed with CL, and another one with LANDI on it.
Also present was a sweet handwritten note that reads, “Congrats on Georgia! We are excited for you ♥️ We can’t wait to watch you in action! Go bulldogs !!! – the Owens”. Though Landi is known to be one of the best women’s gymnastics coaches, this gesture from the Owens is a testament to her ability to be a great mentor. Cecile and Laurent Landi have been coaching Biles since 2017. Landi said in an interview, “When we started coaching Simone, I would say that we had a different kind of pressure because everyone was waiting for us, maybe, to mess up. ‘How can you get her better? How can you make her better?’ I don’t know, but she can do more. And she did.” Under Landi’s guidance, Biles won three all-around titles at the Worlds. In 2023, she became the most decorated gymnast ever.
Cecile Landi’s transition to collegiate football came after a lot of deliberation. She told the All About Gymnastics podcast that she had a lengthy discussion about it with her family, especially her daughter, saying, “It was not an easy one but one that we all agreed on.” She hopes to bring her Olympic-level experience and mentorship to Georgia, and is “thrilled for the opportunity.” However, Cecile Landi remains focused on the 2024 Olympics as part of the WCC team, continuing her work with elite gymnasts like Simone Biles. Their off-mat bond showcases deep friendship and mutual respect, enhancing both their personal and professional realms.
Beyond gymnastics: Exploring the personal bond between Cecile Landi and Simone Biles
Cecile Landi became Simone Biles’ coach after Biles had to face the abusive environment of the Karolyi ranch and the fear of Dr Larry Nassar. Through Landi, Biles was able to reach her trust potential. Landi said that Biles had “opened her eyes” to so many aspects of being a female athlete and praised Biles’ focus on bolstering her own mental health, saying, “she’s really in tune with how she’s feeling mentally and physically, speaking up about it, keeping up with her therapist weekly. She knows it’s important.” Ahead of the Olympic games in Paris, Landi will continue to coach WCC athletes like Biles and Jordan Chiles.
This year is the first time Biles will return to the elite stage since she withdrew from the 2020 Tokyo Games after a bout of twisties. At that time, Laurent and Cecile Landi decided to focus on mentally preparing Biles for 2024 as the best approach. Landi emphasized, “gymnastics is never going to be over for [Simone]” and that she is “going to make it her life.” Landi remains one of Biles’ biggest cheerleaders, and the two maintain a close bond, often featuring in each other’s social media stories. Since Laurent Landi continues to be head at WCC, Cecile Landi will still very much be on the helm of things with Biles.
