Simone Biles and her friends are all set to make their way back to the Olympics. The excitement is palpable as they eagerly prepare to represent their country on the world’s biggest sporting stage.
With a dominant performance at the U.S. Olympic trials on Sunday night, the gymnastics superstar secured her third trip to the biggest stage of her sport. She clinched the only automatic spot on the five-woman team by posting a total score of 117.225 in the all-around competition over two days.
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After taking a break from the Tokyo Olympics three years ago, where she withdrew from several finals to prioritize her safety and became a symbol of mental health awareness, Biles is back and looking better than ever at the age of 27.
Biles expressed her confidence in the process and her coaches, stating “I knew I’d be back.”
Accompanying Biles is a team of athletes who will be competing alongside her.
Later on Sunday night, the five-woman team for the upcoming competition was announced. Sunisa Lee, the reigning Olympic champion, along with Jade Carey, who won the 2020 Olympic floor exercise championship, and Jordan Chiles, who won a silver medal in the 2020 Olympics, were all named to the team. The team also includes Hezly Rivera, a 16-year-old rising star. Joscelyn Roberson and Leanne Wong were named as alternates.
Ever since her comeback last summer, Biles had her sights set on a trip to France. Her remarkable achievements in the last year, including her sixth world all-around title and eighth and ninth national championships, have solidified her position as the top athlete in her sport. There was never a question about whether or not she would make the trip.
As the Tokyo Olympics draws closer, all eyes are on Simone Biles as she aims to defend her gold medal from the 2016 Olympics. However, there is still a lot of work to be done before the women’s qualifying round on July 28th. Despite being the favorite, Biles is no stranger to hard work and will undoubtedly continue to put in the effort to secure her place on the podium.
After executing her Yurchenko double pike vault, she took a step backwards, showcasing the skill’s challenging nature and the incredible strength she possesses. It’s worth noting that only a handful of male gymnasts attempt this move, and even fewer are able to perform it with such finesse.
After failing to land her side aerial, Biles simply hopped off the beam. Although her performance was not up to her usual standards, she didn’t seem as frustrated as she was during Friday’s sloppy performance, which resulted in her uttering an expletive.
In her signature event, floor exercise, Biles ended with an impressive flourish. Despite taking a small step out of bounds, her world-class tumbling was unmatched. It’s worth noting that pop star Taylor Swift recently gave her a shoutout for her incredible skills, with Biles’ routine opening with Swift’s song “Ready For It.”
Amidst a standing ovation, she gracefully stepped off the podium and settled herself atop the steps, taking in the moment. It could possibly be her last competitive round on American soil for some time.
The Americans are heading to Paris with the goal of reclaiming their spot on the top of the podium after coming in second to Russia in the previous competition three years ago.
The Biles who will take to the floor at Bercy Arena in four weeks is not the same as the one who left Tokyo.
After dedicating so much of her life to gymnastics, Simone Biles has made a conscious effort to redefine herself outside of the sport. In the spring of 2023, she tied the knot with Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens and the couple is currently in the process of building a home in the northern Houston suburbs. Biles plans to move into the new house once she returns from Paris, a testament to her commitment to a life beyond gymnastics.
As the U.S. Olympic movement’s prominent figure, Biles is on her way to France, knowing that the millions of viewers tuning in next month will be keeping an eye out for any signs of the challenges that hindered her performance in Tokyo.
Despite experiencing anxiety, particularly during last year’s world championships, the athlete has taken measures to protect her mental health. One such measure is attending weekly therapy sessions, even during competition season, which is something she did not prioritize before the 2020 Games.
With Russia unable to compete due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Biles and her fellow female teammates are heavily favored to dominate in France.
The upcoming Olympics will see the oldest women’s team from America, thanks to Simone Biles’ unmatched staying power. Since 2013, Biles has never lost a meet that she has started and completed. Additionally, the NCAA’s relaxation of name, image, and likeness rules has enabled Sunisa Lee (21), Jordan Chiles (23), and Jade Carey (24) to pursue their passion for competing while simultaneously capitalizing on their newfound celebrity status.
During a challenging meet, top contenders Shilese Jones, Skye Blakely, and Kayla DiCello suffered leg injuries that took them out of the running weeks before the opening ceremonies. Nevertheless, the remaining athletes have drawn on their experience to reach this pivotal moment.
