The seven-time Olympic medallist had previously been reluctant to discuss next summer’s Games
Seven-time Olympic medal-winning U.S. gymnast Simone Biles says she’s aiming for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
“That’s the path that I would love to go,” Biles said during an interview Thursday (7 September 2023) on U.S. broadcaster NBC’s morning show TODAY.
Biles, who returned to competition in August for the first time since withdrawing from the women’s team final and four subsequent individual finals to prioritise her mental health as she dealt with a case of the ‘twisties,’ had previously been reluctant to discuss next summer’s Olympic Games.
In her two media availabilities following commanding victories at August’s U.S. Classic and U.S. Championships, the 26-year-old didn’t even say the word Paris once.
That trend continued Thursday, though when asked by TODAY host Hoda Kotb where she should place her bets, she relented somewhat.
“If I had $5 in my hand and I was going to Vegas and I’m like, ‘I’m going to bet on whether Simone will go to the Olympics or not,'” said Kotb, “Where would I put my five bucks, the yay or the nay?”
Biles responded with a laugh: “I wouldn’t mind if you put it in the yay section.”
“Everything that we’re doing… is very intentional.”
It’s part of a different approach the five-time world all-around champion has taken in her return to gymnastics. News that she would be competing at the U.S. Classic did not come from a splashy interview or even an Instagram post from Biles.
Instead, news of her return came as USA Gymnastics announced the roster for the event. A week later, she posted a short message on her Twitter: “sorry I’ve been a little MIA since the announcement 🤍. I’m overwhelmed with all of your messages, support & love! excited to get back out on the competition floor! XOXO 🫶🏾”
On TODAY, she confirmed that’s been very much on purpose.
“I think we have to be a little bit more cautious about how we do things. So everything that we’re doing leading up to this next Games or whatever is very intentional,” explained Biles. “So, we’ve kind of been playing it on the down low this time, making sure mentally and physically are both intact. So I think it’ll be different, but it’ll be good.”
After sparking a global conversation at Tokyo 2020 about mental health in sports, Biles is also approaching her third Olympic appearance more holistically.
“I think I have to take care of myself a little bit more and listen to my body and making sure that I’m making time for the important things in my life rather than before,” said Biles. “It was just like, go, go, go, and, then, making time after. This time around, it’s like being intentional, going to therapy, making sure everything is aligned so that I can do the best in the gym and be, like, a good wife, a good daughter, a good friend, all the good things.”
