Kaylia Nemour: From French Prodigy to Algerian Gymnastics Star

Kaylia Nemour, a 17-year-old gymnast born in France, now competes for Algeria due to a dispute with the French gymnastics federation. Despite the challenges, she excels in the sport, especially on uneven bars, and aims for a historic Olympic medal for Algeria at the upcoming Paris Olympics.

When 17-year-old Kaylia Nemour steps onto the competition floor alongside Simone Biles at the Paris Olympics, she will feel right at home. Born and raised in France, Nemour is one of the best gymnasts in the world on the uneven bars, but she'll be competing for Algeria due to an ongoing dispute with the French gymnastics federation and her local club, Avoine Beaumont.

Scoring an impressive 15.600 on her favorite apparatus during Sunday's team qualifications, Nemour has her sights set on gold. This remarkable score was the second highest of the day, only surpassed by Biles' 15.800 on the vault. Consistent across all four events, Nemour is on track to qualify for the all-around final. "I'm in the mix with the best, and I can improve things, I have some time left to work," she said.

The conflict, stemming from a medical concern and subsequent disagreement with the French federation, led Nemour to embrace her father's Algerian nationality. She has since made history as the first gymnast representing an African nation to win a world medal on uneven bars. As she attempts to secure an Olympic medal, the crowd at Bercy Arena continues to show her immense support. A victory would mark a significant moment for Algeria in the world of gymnastics.

(With inputs from agencies.)