Veteran Associated Press photographer Charlie Riedel has captured a striking image of Simone Biles at the 2024 Paris Olympics, encapsulating the gymnast’s highly anticipated return to Olympic competition. Riedel, a staff photographer based in Kansas City, Missouri, for 24 years, shares his insights on creating this extraordinary photo at his eighth Olympic Games.
Riedel’s goal was to convey the immense excitement surrounding Biles’ first Olympic appearance since her unexpected withdrawal from several events at the Tokyo Games in 2020. “Simone Biles has been considered the best gymnast in the world for many years,” Riedel explains, “and interest in her has only heightened since she walked away from the Tokyo Games three years ago.
To capture this historic moment, Riedel opted for a wide-angle shot that showcases both the vastness of Bercy Arena and the throng of photographers eager to document Biles’ comeback. Using a Sony A9iii camera with a 24-70mm lens, Riedel leveraged his privileged position as one of the few photographers with floor access to create a unique perspective.
“I wanted to show a sense of this excitement for her first Olympic appearance since dropping out at Tokyo,” Riedel says, “so I decided to go wide and include the vastness of Bercy Arena as well as the crowd of photographers capturing this historic moment.”
The resulting image is powerful in its composition. Biles appears small within the frame, yet her presence dominates the scene. “I believe this photo works because Simone is a small part of the frame in a huge arena,” Riedel reflects. “But even though she is small in the frame, she is towering above all the people who are there to watch her.”
This photograph not only documents Biles’ return to Olympic competition but also captures the magnitude of her influence on the sport and her ability to command attention on the world stage. Riedel’s image serves as a visual testament to Biles’ resilience and the intense public interest in her comeback story.
As the 2024 Paris Olympics continue, Riedel’s photograph stands as a iconic representation of one of the Games’ most anticipated moments, showcasing the power of sports photography to capture the essence of athletic achievement and personal triumph.
