Simone Biles’ Legendary Coaches Reunite: Laurent Landi Joins Georgia Gymnastics Staff for 2027 Olympic Push

The gymnastics world is abuzz with a historic reunion as Laurent Landi, the former head coach of Olympic champion Simone Biles, has officially joined his wife Cécile Canqueteau-Landi at the University of Georgia gymnastics program. The move marks a significant development ahead of the 2027 Paris Olympics, where Georgia aims to build one of its strongest gymnastics teams in history.

Landi, who guided Biles to multiple Olympic and World Championship victories between 2017 and 2024, will serve as Associate Head Coach under Canqueteau-Landi’s leadership. Their combined expertise promises to elevate Georgia’s gymnastics program to new heights, with both coaches bringing decades of experience in elite-level training and competition.

This announcement comes at a pivotal moment for American gymnastics, where Georgia has emerged as a breeding ground for future Olympic stars. The Landi-Canqueteau couple’s arrival coincides with Georgia’s aggressive recruitment efforts and infrastructure upgrades designed to compete with traditional gymnastics powerhouses like Romania and China.

From Olympic Glory to Georgia’s Future

Laurent Landi’s decision to join the University of Georgia program represents both a professional milestone and a personal homecoming. The French-born coach, who previously led the U.S. Olympic gymnastics team alongside his wife, will now focus on developing the next generation of American gymnasts. His arrival follows a series of high-profile coaching changes in collegiate gymnastics, where elite coaches are increasingly drawn to university programs offering state-of-the-art facilities and Olympic-level training environments.

Canqueteau-Landi, who has been building Georgia’s gymnastics program since 2023, welcomed her husband’s addition with enthusiasm. “Laurent’s experience at the highest level of international competition will be invaluable as we prepare our athletes for the challenges ahead,” she stated in an official university press release. “This represents about more than just adding another coach—it’s about creating a culture of excellence that will produce champions for years to come.”

“Laurent’s experience at the highest level of international competition will be invaluable as we prepare our athletes for the challenges ahead.”

The couple’s combined coaching tenure includes guiding Biles through her record-breaking Olympic performances in Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, where she became the most decorated gymnast in history with 32 Olympic and World Championship medals. Their approach to training—known for its emphasis on mental resilience alongside physical preparation—has become a blueprint for modern gymnastics coaching.

Why This Reunion Matters for Georgia Gymnastics

The Landi-Canqueteau partnership represents a rare opportunity for Georgia to align its gymnastics program with the same coaching philosophy that produced one of the greatest athletes in sports history. While Biles has announced her retirement from competition following the 2024 Olympics, her legacy continues to influence the sport, and her former coaches’ move to Georgia suggests they see significant potential in the state’s emerging gymnastics scene.

Georgia’s investment in gymnastics has accelerated in recent years, with the state allocating over $40 million to facility upgrades and scholarship programs at the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech. The program’s recent successes—including multiple NCAA championships—have positioned it as a serious contender in the collegiate gymnastics landscape, with eyes now turning toward Olympic qualification.

Analysts suggest this coaching change could accelerate Georgia’s timeline for producing Olympic-level gymnasts. “The Landis bring not just technical expertise but a proven system for developing athletes who can perform under pressure,” noted Dr. Elena Petrov, a sports psychology professor at the University of Georgia. “Their arrival coincides perfectly with Georgia’s infrastructure investments and could be the final piece in the puzzle for Olympic contention.”

2027 Olympics: A New Era for American Gymnastics

The 2027 Paris Olympics will be the first major international competition where Georgia’s current crop of gymnasts will have full opportunities to qualify. With Landi’s Olympic-level experience now on staff, the program appears positioned to make a significant impact. While Georgia has not yet qualified gymnasts for the Olympics, the state’s aggressive development pipeline—combined with the Landis’ coaching—could change that dynamic.

Industry insiders point to several key factors that make this coaching change particularly timely:

• Youth Development: Georgia has become a hotbed for young talent, with multiple gymnasts from the state already competing at the national level.
• Facility Advantages: The new $32 million gymnastics training center at the University of Georgia, completed in 2025, features Olympic-standard equipment and recovery facilities.
• Coaching Continuity: The Landis’ system provides consistency that many developing athletes need to reach elite levels.
• Olympic Experience: Their combined knowledge of international competition formats will be crucial for preparing athletes for the 2027 Games.

While specific names of athletes being targeted haven’t been released, reports suggest the program is focusing on developing all-around gymnasts capable of competing across multiple apparatuses—a strength of both Landi and Canqueteau-Landi’s coaching styles.

Training Begins: The Road to Paris 2027

With the official announcement made in early May 2026, training under the Landi-Canqueteau leadership is expected to begin immediately. The coaching staff will work closely with Georgia’s current roster, which includes several gymnasts who have already shown promise at national competitions. The program’s first major test will come at the 2026 World Championships, where Georgia will aim to qualify athletes for the 2027 Olympic trials.

For fans of Simone Biles, this development offers a rare opportunity to see the coaching methods that shaped her career now being applied to the next generation. While Biles herself has not publicly commented on the Landis’ move to Georgia, her social media presence continues to reflect her ongoing engagement with the sport, suggesting she remains invested in its future.

Visualizing the Impact

Laurent Landi (left) and Cécile Canqueteau-Landi during their time coaching Simone Biles at the 2024 Paris Olympics:

Photo: US Olympic Committee Archives