Kaylia Nemour is known as a magician on the uneven bars, where she will be a favorite to medal in Paris, but her journey to get there was anything but magical.

After having knee surgery to treat osteochondritis, a growth plates condition, Nemour rehabbed for six months and was approved to compete by her surgeon.

However, the French Gymnastics Federation’s doctor refused to clear her.

Nemour, who has dual citizenship with Algeria, where her father is from, decided to switch countries, although France initially refused to release her, until abuse claims in their program came to light.

The 17-year-old won silver at Worlds in 2023, the first African gymnast in history to do so.

Kaylia won gold at the 2024 Cottbus World Cup with a massive 7.0 difficulty score, one of the most challenging routines being done in the world in any gymnastics event.

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