AMERICA’S Olympic golden girl finished the gymnastics competition as she should, winning another Olympic gold medal Tuesday.

    Simone Biles stood on the podium at Rio Olympic Arena for a record-tying fourth time after sweeping to the championship in floor with a score of 15.966. She became the first woman gymnast since 1968 to win four (out of six possible) gold medals at a single Olympics, adding floor to team, all-around and vault. She also won bronze in balance beam.

    Fellow American Aly Raisman took home the silver with a score of 15.5. The two U.S. gymnasts had overwhelmed the competition this week with power tumbling and a new level of athleticism just as the sport’s judges have evolved into rewarding such skills more than the traditional artistic approach.

    Amy Tinkler of Great Britain won bronze.

    For Biles, it was a return to form from Monday when she lost balance while completing a front flip on the beam, costing her a chance to become the first female gymnast to win five golds. There were no mistakes Tuesday, her sky-high jumps and meet-best 8.933 degree of difficulty (Raisman’s, for example, was 8.675) leaving the Brazil audience alternating between gasps of disbelief and roars of appreciation.

    The 19-year-old from outside Houston steadfastly had tried to take each day as it came — whether it was competition or practice. It allowed her to prevent the totality of what she accomplished from overwhelming her with pressure and distractions.

    Biles is expected to leave Rio as a breakout star and a major endorser. Only two other women have won four gymnastics golds in a single Games: Vera Caslavska of then-Czechoslovakia (1968) and Agnes Keleti of Hungary (1956).(SD-Agencies)