Simone Biles: Reclaiming joy and gold at the Paris Olympics

A triumphant return

Simone Biles, already hailed as the greatest gymnast in history, added another feather to her cap at the Paris Olympics. With seven Olympic medals and 30 World Championship medals, Biles had nothing left to prove. Yet, her goal this time was different: to compete on her own terms and savor every moment.

When Team USA clinched the gold medal in women’s gymnastics, Biles’ joy was palpable. She leaped with excitement, waving a giant American flag as she and her teammates—Jade Carey, Jordan Chiles, Suni Lee, and Hezly Rivera—posed for photographers. This victory made Biles the most decorated U.S. Olympic gymnast of all time, surpassing Shannon Miller.

The redemption tour

Biles dubbed these games the “Redemption Tour.” The team, comprising athletes who competed in the 2020 Tokyo games, had faced numerous challenges since then, from injuries to mental health struggles. This time, they aimed not just for gold but to make a statement about their resilience.

“We’re super excited,” Biles said after the medal ceremony. “We’re honored to represent the U.S. every time we get on a world stage, but accomplishing that gold and that goal was just an amazing feeling. And I think we all had something to prove from Tokyo, and tonight we did just that.”

Mental health and resilience

Biles has been open about her mental health journey since Tokyo, where she withdrew from the team finals due to the twisties—a dangerous condition where gymnasts lose their sense of spatial awareness mid-air. The Netflix docuseries “Simone Biles Rising” captures this journey, offering a behind-the-scenes look at her struggles and triumphs. The series, filmed over five years, is set to release its second part this fall.

“Simone Biles Rising” plays like three years’ worth of Biles’ diary entries, as she expresses her truth and reclaims her voice. The series challenges viewers to consider the importance of mental health in sports, emphasizing that true freedom comes from living life on one’s own terms.

A shift in demeanor

The difference in Biles’ demeanor between the Tokyo and Paris Olympics is striking. After the qualifying round in 2021, she posted on Instagram about the immense pressure she felt. In contrast, her post-qualifying message in Paris was simple: “Grateful to be doing what I love.” She even shared a TikTok video set to Megan Thee Stallion’s “Where Them Girls At,” showcasing her competition look.

Laurie Hernandez, Biles’ teammate from the 2016 Rio games, praised her for the strides she’s taken, including weekly therapy sessions. At 27, Biles is part of a growing number of gymnasts competing well into their 20s, thanks to a focus on mental health and smarter training.

Support from loved ones

Cheering Biles on from the audience were her parents, Ronald and Nellie Biles, and her husband, NFL player Jonathan Owens. The crowd also included celebrities like Michael Phelps, Serena Williams, Spike Lee, Nicole Kidman, and Natalie Portman.

Throughout the competition, Biles wasn’t perfect—she wobbled on the balance beam and stepped out of bounds twice during her floor routine. But she remained unfazed, rolling her eyes at her mistakes instead of beating herself up. By the end of the meet, it was clear that her comeback was complete, marking the beginning of a new, more joyful era in her career.

The legacy continues

The 2024 team is the fourth group of U.S. gymnasts to win the Olympic gold medal, following the “Magnificent Seven” in 1996, the “Fierce Five” in 2012, and the “Final Five” in 2016. When asked about their team nickname, Biles humorously shared an inside joke before settling on “Golden Girls” due to their age.

Reflecting on her experience, Biles recalled her early years training at the Karolyi Ranch, where fun was discouraged. “I was like, that’s not how I do gymnastics,” she said. Thankfully, that culture is changing. “We show off our personalities and really have fun, but know that once we get on the floor, we’ve put in the work and it shows in the results.”

Biles’ Olympic journey is far from over. She will next compete in the all-around competition, as well as event finals for vault, balance beam, and floor exercise. Her final routine begins with Taylor Swift’s “…Ready for It?”—a fitting anthem for an athlete whose reputation as the GOAT has been fully restored.

Watch the journey

For those interested in diving deeper into Biles’ journey, check out the Simone Biles Rising docuseries. It offers an intimate look at her struggles and triumphs, providing valuable insights into the life of one of the greatest athletes of our time.

Keywords: Simone Biles, Paris Olympics, Team USA, gymnastics, mental health, Redemption Tour, Simone Biles Rising, Netflix docuseries, Golden Girls