Simone Biles is undeniably one of the world’s greatest athletes, holding the record as the most decorated gymnast in World Championships history. Despite her headline-making withdrawal from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021 due to COVID-19), those Games tied her with Shannon Miller for the most Olympic medals ever won by an American gymnast. In 2022, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden. Yet, despite her career successes, Biles has faced numerous challenges.
Her life has been marked by hardships, including a difficult childhood and significant health scares. When the Tokyo Olympics arrived, Biles’ mental health struggles made headlines as she decided to take a two-year break from gymnastics. By focusing on her well-being, she made a strong comeback in 2023, winning gold and setting out to make history at the Paris Olympics by July 2024. Here’s how Simone Biles has transformed since the 2020 Games.
Her awful experience at the previous Olympics in Tokyo
Simone Biles’ experience at the Tokyo Olympics took an unexpected turn when she withdrew from the gymnastics team final after the competition had already started. She was supposed to perform two and a half twists on the vault but lost herself mid-air and only completed one and a half. Realizing something was wrong, she chose to bow out and later decided to forgo the finals of the individual all-around competition. She explained her decision by citing the “twisties,” a condition that causes gymnasts to lose their orientation mid-air, making it dangerous to perform. Despite being labeled a quitter by some, Biles stood by her decision, emphasizing that her mind and body were not in sync.
She took a mental health break
Despite the backlash, Biles took a mental health break. She emphasized the importance of protecting one’s mind and body over merely meeting others’ expectations. Many critics didn’t see it her way, and social media was filled with negative comments. However, Biles anticipated this reaction and admitted to feeling like the world hated her. She stood firm despite the trolls, eventually responding cheekily to critics by flaunting her seven Olympic medals.
She shifted her focus to personal happiness and marriage
During her break from competition, Biles focused on her personal life, including her relationship with NFL player Jonathan Owens. They met on the dating app Raya in March 2020, with Biles making the first move. Their relationship blossomed, and they got married in a simple courthouse ceremony in April 2023, followed by a luxurious destination wedding in Mexico. This time away from gymnastics helped Biles regain her confidence, and she returned to win a record eighth U.S. Championship in August 2023.
Her difficulties inspired strength and positivity in her
After her withdrawal from the Tokyo Games, Biles found strength and positivity in her decision. She refused to let one competition define her career and gradually returned to training. By October, she admitted she was still scared to do gymnastics but believed everything happened for a reason. This perspective gave her the motivation to compete again on her terms, viewing her withdrawal from the Olympics as a victory in itself.
Secretly trained to plan a significant comeback
Simone Biles made a secretive comeback, beginning with a gold medal at the U.S. Classic in August 2023. She returned to international competition in October 2023 at the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Belgium, where she won her 20th World’s gold medal and became the first female to land the Yurchenko double pike vault, dubbed the Biles II. Her quick comeback was impressive, as she only needed a few months of serious training after initially getting back into shape in September 2022. Despite wedding planning taking precedence, she buckled down after May and returned to the top of her game.
Approaching the Paris Olympics differently
Today Biles emphasized doing gymnastics for herself. With support from family, friends, and her therapist, she tuned out the haters and focused on her love for the sport. She planned to stay off social media during the Games, aiming to perform purely for her joy and satisfaction. She aimed to thoroughly explore every aspect and find fulfillment in her career, confident that she had given it her utmost effort.
In summary, Simone Biles’ journey from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics to the 2024 Paris Games is a testament to her resilience and dedication. Despite facing significant challenges, she emerged stronger, proving that mental health and personal well-being are just as important as physical prowess.