The 2024 Paris Summer Games gave her several exciting moments. The atmosphere was electrifying right from the Opening Ceremony. Who could forget the viral photo of Lebron James and Coco Gauff braving the rains over the Seine River, holding onto the American Flag? Even though Team USA’s Simone Biles and Co. missed all the joy, they shut all the naysayers down with their much-anticipated Redemption Tour.

But we weren’t the only ones who got caught up in the grandeur of the Olympics this year. On September 30, President Joe Biden welcomed athletes who represented the United States to the White House. While expressing his gratitude, he mentioned how he and his staff couldn’t help but watch them at the Games. However, now the nation has shifted its focus to the ongoing race for the U.S. Presidential Seat between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris. As we anticipate who the 47th President of the United States will be, a few athletes have made it clear where they stand.

Simone Biles clears the air on Election Day

This year has particularly been fruitful for the 27-year-old. Simone Biles made a triumphant comeback at the Paris Games and reclaimed her throne amidst a raucous cheer at the Bercy Arena. With four new Olympic medals, she had finally done what she intended to. However, with the ongoing Presidential elections, the Olympian couldn’t help but make her allegiance as clear as ever. On November 5, she shared Erica Chidi’s post on her Instagram Stories captioned, “‍♀️‍♀️‍♀️‍♀️‍♀️ i don’t make the rules.” 

The post included a carousel of images supporting the restoration of bodily autonomy in the nation. Kamala Harris made ab–tion rights the primary focus of her Presidential campaign and pledged to sign legislation that would restore the federal right to make that decision. But wait, there’s more. The 27-year-old opened up about who she’d like to see in the White House on Election Day. She captioned her Instagram Threads post, “let’s go kamala mamala.”

But the Olympian has shared her stance on the Presidential candidates before as well. Social media was ablaze in September. What went down? Many believed that Simone Biles donated $4 million to Kamala Harris’ Presidential campaign. The rumors were never confirmed. However, it’s safe to say that the G.O.A.T. isn’t shy to admit that she would love for the nation to have its first female President for the upcoming tenure. Yet she isn’t the only gymnast who’s shared her opinions with the fans.

Like Simone Biles, Suni Lee is all for Kamala Harris as the next U.S. President

The gymnast debuted on the world’s biggest stage at the 2020 Tokyo Games. Suni Lee became the first Hmong American to compete at the Olympics. After Simone Biles withdrew from contention, the gymnast took up the challenge. She clinched gold in the individual all-around event, becoming the first Asian-American female gymnast to accomplish this feat. The Olympian also clinched a bronze in the uneven bars and a team silver medal at the Japanese capital. However, Paris was magical for more than one reason. She bagged three more medals, becoming the first American woman to clinch two consecutive medals in the uneven bars. So, how does this tie into the elections?

Being the first Hmong American, her successful stint at the Games helped bring more attention to Hmong Americans. But who knew an invisible string tied the gymnast to Kamala Harris? No, the Presidency candidate is not Hmong. Yet they still had one factor bringing them together. The 21-year-old and Harris are both Asian Americans. But here’s the kicker. On July 23, Harris’ campaign team and surrogates set up shop at the Hmong Village Shopping Center in St. Paul, Minnesota, on July 23. Seeing the candidate in her hometown could have motivated the Olympian to pledge her allegiance.

On November 5, Kamala Harris shared a post on her official Instagram account, reminding the nation to ensure their votes are heard. With voting day in full swing, Suni Lee reposted it on her Instagram story with a straightforward caption, “vote vote vote !!!! ” It’s safe to say that the 21-year-old, just like her compatriot, Simone Biles, would prefer Harris to be the nation’s first female President. But their Asian-American connection definitely sweetens the pot.

Allyson Felix’s wishful thinking for her daughter

For the first time since 2000, Allyson Felix wouldn’t contest in the French capital. After consistently dominating the track through 5 Olympic berths, she realized it was time to hang up her spikes in 2022. However, nothing could keep her away from the sport. So she still set out to the City of Lights as a member of the International Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission. Did you know that she was the primary reason for the Olympic Village to have a nursery in Paris? She wanted to make the experience more comfortable for athletes with young children, much like herself. So, who did she back in the much-anticipated elections?

The Paris Olympics were bursting with unforgettable moments, from historic achievements to the emergence of new sporting talents. And let’s not forget a game-changer: breakdancing made its grand debut on the Olympic stage! This year, for the very first time, the world watched as this vibrant dance form showcased its flair, and reactions were nothing short of mixed. Among the participants, Rachel Gunn, affectionately known as Raygun, found herself at the center of attention, unfortunately for all the wrong reasons, as critics accused her of trivializing the competition.

Raygun captured the spotlight with her viral routine in Paris, showcasing playful, kangaroo-inspired moves and an eye-catching rolling performance across the floor. Despite enduring a barrage of online trolling and becoming the subject of countless memes, the spirited breakdancer is now receiving unexpected support from none other than the gymnastics GOAT herself!

In a fun video shared by Netflix on X, the iconic Simone Biles jumped in on the whole meme craze surrounding Olympians from the Paris Olympics. The post was titled, “Simone Biles gives her official statement on a few 2024 Olympians who turned into memes (herself included!)” In it, she reacted to Raygun’s viral moment, where the breakdancer rolled across the floor in her signature style.

Simone hyped up Raygun with enthusiasm, saying, “Raygun girl. Raygun girl. She made breakdancing popular. Everybody was watching you, girl! Everyone that’s at the Olympics is the best in their country at what they do, no matter if we agree or not. So go, Raygun!”

Imagine this: the gymnastics superstar was just chilling on the gym floor, stretching and chatting, when out of nowhere, she pulled off an epic head turn. It was as if she had a sixth sense, knowing the camera was on her! With one smooth motion, she locked eyes with the lens, and that fierce “death stare” blew up on social media. Fans couldn’t get enough of comparing her intense look to a stern librarian shushing noisy kids—it was absolutely hilarious!

Once the Paris Games wrapped up, Simone embraced the meme fun and decided to make the most of her viral fame. Joining forces with Netflix, she created a series of laugh-out-loud head-turn videos that had everyone in stitches. Picture her going about her daily life, only to spin around and serve that iconic look once again, this time with cheeky captions like “When somebody mentions women’s sports” or “The vault when it sees her coming.” These playful snippets were a total delight!

In the video, Biles nailed that classic “eerie stare,” giving everyone a glimpse into her thoughts without uttering a single word. But it was her hilarious take on “The Vault when it sees her coming” that stole the spotlight, perfectly blending her humor with those boss vibes we all adore. She even joked that she could do it “all the time,” sending her fans into a total frenzy! This video has taken off, racking up over a million views on X, proving that her playful side is just as beloved as her incredible gymnastics skills!

And in the Netflix video, she even reacted to her own meme fame! Watching herself go viral, she quipped, “Yeah, I’m not really sure why this went viral, but people loved it. I truly have no idea because there were no cameras anywhere, but the guys were across from our warm-up gym, so I truly think that they must have been going ballistic, and that’s the reason why I turned. That’s it, I have no explanation; I have no idea what that was or why I did it.” 

The Gold Over America Tour (GOAT) is a popular show where superstar gymnasts like Simone Biles show their jaw-dropping flips and skills. It was started on September 16, 2024. It is nearing its end on November 3, 2024, hitting 32 big arenas all over the U.S. They were gymnasts-turned-rock stars visiting places like Oceanside, Greensboro, Cincinnati, and Detroit. So, why did Simone Biles go on this nationwide flipping spree? To inspire the kids and show how much fun gymnastics can be! The first tour in 2021 was such a hit they couldn’t resist doing it again.

You won’t believe it, but tickets are flying off the shelves so fast that they had to add more shows. People are just that excited to see some gravity-defying skills and gymnastic moves. It’s like a wild mix of a gymnastics meet and a pop concert. And if you’re thinking about getting some tickets, here is the last stop for this fun train, so grab them quickly before it’s all over.

After the GOAT Tour in 2021, Simone Biles once again chooses Little Caesars Arena

Following the super success of her 2021 GOAT Tour, Simone Biles is again bringing her grand finale to the iconic Little Caesars Arena. Home to the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings and NBA’s Detroit Pistons, this arena has state-of-the-art technology and fan amenities, making it the perfect stage for this gymnastics extravaganza. Detroit fans are already buzzing with excitement, eagerly awaiting Biles’ return.

Fresh off the Olympic podium, Biles and other Team USA stars will entertain the audience at Biles’s Gold Over America Tour. This 30-city tour features medal-winning athletes like Stephen Nedoroscik, Fred Richard, Paul Juda, and obviously Simone Biles’s BFF Jordan Chiles. The Detroit show on November 3 will be the tour’s final stop, promising an unforgettable night. “From the world’s stage to the GOAT stage, this incredible journey continues, and I can’t wait for fans to see what we have in store this year,” said Biles in a press release. “I love creating unforgettable memories for our audiences every night on tour.”

Beyond the GOAT Tour, Little Caesars Arena has several interesting events coming up

As the GOAT Tour concludes, Little Caesars Arena isn’t just packing the mats and calling it a day. Nope, this place still has much more excitement. On November 6, Jelly Roll will grace the stage with his “Beautifully Broken Tour 2024,” featuring special guests ERNEST, Shaboozey, and Allie Colleen. A week later, on November 11, things get more sporty with the Shoresy Fall Classic.

Rod Wave’s “Last Lap Tour” storms in on November 13 after that, bringing special guests like Moneybagg Yo, Toosii, Lil Poppa, Dess Dior, and Eelmatic. Not to be outdone, Maverick City Music will perform on November 14, and Don Toliver’s “PSYCHO Tour” follows on November 15. Creed’s “Are You Ready? Tour” will shake the arena on November 20—because who isn’t ready for some nostalgia? But wait, there’s more! Gabriel Iglesias will be back with his “Don’t Worry Be Fluffy Tour” on November 24, guaranteed to make you laugh till you drop. The Channel 95.5’s Jingle Ball will light up the stage on December 10, featuring artists like Jack Harlow and Jason Derulo.

With such a dynamic lineup, Little Caesars Arena will remain the ultimate hub for entertainment and community vibes. From music and sports to comedy, there’s something for everyone, ensuring the fun never stops.

The dust has long settled on the 2024 Paris Olympics, but Jordan Chiles hasn’t been able to leave that experience behind. Even though she had an incredible stint in the French capital, the gymnast was soon caught up in a controversy surrounding her Olympic bronze medal just days later. The debate started back in August, yet it still seems to resurface in her life. As a result, the 23-year-old decided to cope with her shock and heartbreak by taking a momentary break from social media.

After an incredible performance in the floor exercise, the gymnast stepped onto the podium alongside Simone Biles and Rebeca Andrade. However, things took a turn when her final score of 13.766 came under scrutiny. Much to her dismay, this led to her bronze medal being stripped by the Court of Arbitration. As gut-wrenching as that was, she took several steps to move past this difficult moment, with her best friend, the G.O.A.T. herself, by her side throughout. What have the duo been up to lately?

Jordan Chiles can’t help but be grateful for Simone Biles

The two are currently busy traveling for the Gold Over America Tour and recently caught up with CNN Sports Anchor Coy Wire. He asked the 23-year-old what it was like to leave a lasting impression, and she didn’t hold back.“It’s definitely cool. I know that it’s something, especially being able to be with [Simone], that she left an impact on me and being able to do that to a younger generation is beyond remarkable,” Jordan Chiles confessed.

Paris may have left an indelible mark on the 23-year-old, but competing alongside and being friends with the 11-time Olympic medalist has made the experience a bit more bearable for the gymnast. The tour embarked on its 35-city journey on September 16 in Oceanside, California, and will finally conclude on November 3 in Detroit, Michigan. Like the first edition, the goal is to build confidence in the next generation of athletes while connecting with and celebrating their fans.

So, what has their time been like on the tour so far? “Going from state to state, city to city, however it is, just always making sure that they understand that, you know, this is her words, but they’re always golden,” Jordan Chiles added. Simone Biles believes that the next generation has always had a spark in them. The 23-year-old reiterated, “They can shine bright and do the things they need to do.” However, even though this was advice for the upcoming athletes, the Olympian might have taken that to heart.

The 23-year-old refused to let the incident bring her down

If there’s one word to describe Jordan Chiles throughout this entire ordeal, it would be resilient. Having her bronze medal stripped understandably affected the gymnast. In fact, she dubbed it as “one of the most challenging moments” of her career. The direct aftermath of this incident led to her love for the sport nearly dwindling. But she also reiterated that she created history that night, something nothing can change.

Undeterred, she moved past it and explored an entirely different avenue. The gymnast made it on the July/August cover of Teen Vogue. But she also caught the world’s eye by turning heads at the New York Fashion Week! On September 7, the 23-year-old closed out the Kim Shui Spring 2025 show in a silver outfit. While the leotard-reminiscent outfit was dazzling as it is, she sprinkled in some of her own flair by opting for sneakers instead of heels.

If that wasn’t exciting enough, the Olympian appeared at the MTV Video Music Awards with Flavor Flav. After presenting the Best Collaboration award, Jordan Chiles got to have her own Olympic moment on the stage. When the gymnast lost her Olympic medal, the rapper promised to give her something no one could take away. Keeping his word, he presented her with the bronze clock necklace.

When things seemed to have cooled down, this saga received a game-changer! The second part of Netflix’s Simone Biles Rising was released earlier this month. The crew had followed the 11x Olympic medalist throughout their time at the Olympics. So, she might have a fighting chance with the footage from her best friend’s comeback documentary! On September 16, the gymnast filed for a new appeal with the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland. She is still trying to overturn the CAS ruling.

The documentary’s director, Katie Walsh, stated they could prove when Cecile Landi submitted the inquiry. According to them, they asked to reevaluate the gymnast’s score 49 seconds after the results came in. We haven’t heard the verdict for the final verdict since the new appeal. But it’s safe to say that Simone Biles continues to have her best friend’s back both on and off the mat.

The pair have met in the past with Swift supporting Biles, and now she’s managed to do so again….

Despite admitting she probably won’t meet Taylor Swift, Simone Biles revealed the Eras Tour star helped her Gold Over America Tour (GOAT) become the success it was when she used the popstar to design a new floor routine.

The 27-year-old artistic gymnast has 11 Olympic gold medals to her name and is widely regarded as the best to ever do it, but even she needs some help from time to time as she turned to the 34-year-old billionaire for inspiration

“Yes, that’s exactly how I would describe it,” Biles said, laughing, to Click on Detroit when asked if her unique routine was like gymnastics meeting a concert as she uses intense music to produce equally intense feats on the floor.

Of course, Swift wasn’t the only person to feature on the playlist as the athlete also tapped into tunes from Beyonce and Post Malone, and it appeared to be a great success with the audience singing along too.

The pair are yet to meet in the NFL despite both dating two professional footballers as Biles is married to Jonathan Owens (safety) and Swift is 14 months into dating Travis Kelce (tight end) but it doesn’t seem likely to happen this season.

Kelce’s Kansas City Chiefs do not meet Chicago Bears in the 2024/25 NFL campaign meaning their best chance to greet each other actually came in 2023 when the Chiefs played the Green Bay Packers, who Owens then played for.

There’s no bad blood between them despite Biles suggesting opponents “don’t bond” compared to their inter-team connections so fans will no doubt be hoping that they can one day cross paths again.

After improving to 7-0 for the season with a 27-20 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, the Chiefs are looking good to win another Super Bowl despite not looking like a particularly good football team at the moment.

Simone Biles came into the Paris Olympics carrying a mountain of pressure. The Tokyo Olympics had left her in a media whirlwind, with cameras and expectations glued to her every move. The aftermath was rough, and in Netflix’s Simone Biles Rising Part 1, we got a peek into the sheer intensity she faced. Clips show cameras in her face, media declaring her as the ‘gold medal favorite’ long before she even stepped on the mat. And after her withdrawal due to the “Twisties,” the backlash was brutal—online trolls branded her a “quitter,” “selfish,” and worse.

Simone Biles had a different game plan: protect her peace at the Paris Olympics. She explained, “Because of everything that did happen in Tokyo. So we wanted to try to take a different approach and not talking to media. Just kind of staying in my zone. Still following up with my therapist. I turned off the comments on my Instagram, which I don’t care. If you wanna comment good or bad, you’re not gonna be allowed. And then, Twitter, I’ve actually deleted a couple times off my phone. So yeah, I think I’m getting there.” Spoiler alert—it worked. Biles walked away from Paris with three gold medals.

Of course, fans had a lot to say. One X user, Maile, put it perfectly: “Olympic gymnast Simone Biles had to delete Twitter/X off her phone to compete at the Olympics. She was able to keep her other social media but said X was just too hateful, vile, and full of negativity.

Simone Biles was laser-focused heading into Paris, and she made some big sacrifices to keep it that way. Social media was just the beginning—she also took a serious step back from the media circus. No fan photos, no pre-competition interviews, no snapshots with starstruck admirers. Her mission was clear: stay locked in, eyes on the prize, and chase redemption on the competition days at the Paris Olympics.

Reflecting on her Tokyo experience, Simone felt that all the hype and attention in the lead-up had only piled on the pressure. So, despite knowing some might criticize her choice, she went full steam ahead. In Simone Biles Rising, her resolve was crystal clear, and fans rallied behind her, applauding her every decision. This comment set off a firestorm.

Why should a world-class athlete like Simone have to dodge social media just to get in the right headspace for competition? And when did fans lose all compassion for what she’s been through? They even took it upon themselves to shield her from any online hate.

The gymternet was all-in on Simone’s decision to protect her peace at the Paris Olympics. Fans rallied to her side on X, with one saying, “Oh it is way worse on FB, Instagram and TikTok.” But this is true for all platforms online. In fact, social media users know the comment sections can get brutal, but Simone didn’t ditch Instagram or TikTok because, well, she actually enjoys creating content there!

In an interview with TODAY, she said, “Insta is good. It’s a good way to connect. It’s a way to share what we’re going through. And TikTok. I’ve tried to make a little more TikToks, I’m not the greatest at that. I’m learning.” Safe to say, Biles wasn’t leaving these apps anytime soon—unless, of course, things took a nasty turn. Another fan commented on X, “There are other possibilities to why she might do that,” hinting at deeper reasons.

True enough, Simone’s decision to delete X was simple but necessary. The post-Tokyo backlash had been intense. She even told Alex Cooper on the Call Her Daddy podcast, “As soon as I landed, I was like, oh, America hates me. The world is gonna hate me. And I can only see what they’re saying on Twitter right now… I was, I thought I was gonna be banned from America because that’s what they tell you. Don’t come back if it’s not gold, gold or bust, don’t come back.” So, to avoid history repeating itself, she hit pause on X—for her mental health.

One fan summed it up bluntly: “The reality (my opinion, of course) is this…PEOPLE ARE UGLY. Full stop. Don’t care which direction you “lean” ugliness flows in all directions. She kept her other platforms… why? Because those platforms block, censor, and dictate what’s acceptable or not, yet it depends on what & who it is towards those platforms.”  They added that X is like a town square where people know it’s nearly a free-for-all, allowing almost anything to be said.

The fan wasn’t sympathetic to the idea of Biles leaving because people were so mean, pointing out it’s a humanity problem, not just an X issue. But they’d take the hate if it meant freedom of speech, noting it’s up to adults to block or ignore the nastiness. That being said, the 11x Olympic medalist had a massive outpouring of love, too.

One fan summed it up bluntly: “The reality (my opinion, of course) is this…PEOPLE ARE UGLY. Full stop. Don’t care which direction you “lean” ugliness flows in all directions. She kept her other platforms… why? Because those platforms block, censor, and dictate what’s acceptable or not, yet it depends on what & who it is towards those platforms.”  They added that X is like a town square where people know it’s nearly a free-for-all, allowing almost anything to be said.

The fan wasn’t sympathetic to the idea of Biles leaving because people were so mean, pointing out it’s a humanity problem, not just an X issue. But they’d take the hate if it meant freedom of speech, noting it’s up to adults to block or ignore the nastiness. That being said, the 11x Olympic medalist had a massive outpouring of love, too.

Simone Biles is currently at the top of the gymnastics world. Having made up her mind not to be called a ‘quitter’ again, Biles owned the competition in Paris. Winning an astonishing 3 gold and a silver medal, she nullified the GOAT debate once and for all. However, things did not come easy for the champion.

Battling with a torn calf muscle and a hyperextended knee on the very first day of the competition, Biles could have given up. But she was never a quitter. Thus, getting back to the grind, the 27-year-old came out as the purest form of gymnastics gold. And now, venturing into several fields owing to her immense success, Biles surely has no unfulfilled dreams left. Or does she?

Well, apparently there is just one thing that Biles never got to do, which was her childhood dream. In an exclusive interview with Olympics.com, Simone Biles got candid about her famed life. Revealing her only unfulfilled desire, the champion stated that she always wanted to compete in college gymnastics. Reflecting on the topic, Biles said, “My main goal whenever I started gymnastics and I really, really got into it was to do college gymnastics. And I did everything but that.”

Starting her gymnastics journey as a junior elite at 14, Biles’ talent soon got her busy. Growing up, she was always fascinated about getting admitted to UCLA and winning the NCAA championships for her college team. Unfortunately, she did win her accolades, but on an international level.

Back in August 2014, Biles verbally committed to UCLA, even signing her National Letter of Intent that November, with a plan to start school after the 2016 Rio Olympics. And let’s face it—finding time for in-person classes wasn’t exactly realistic with her schedule. Simone Biles faced a tough call: either go full-throttle on her gymnastics dreams by turning pro or stick with her dream of competing in the NCAA for UCLA, balancing college life with elite gymnastics.

Spoiler alert—she chose the vaults and beams full-time! Just a year later, she made the big decision to go pro, announcing in July 2015 that she’d pass on college gymnastics eligibility to pursue her career. Though she couldn’t make it to UCLA’s campus, Biles still finished her education online, studying business administration at the University of the People. And did it all pay off? Absolutely!

She went pretty much over and above her initial expectations to become the all-time greatest gymnast. Recognized almost everywhere she goes, Biles gets overwhelmed when she is compared with the likes of LeBron James and Serena Williams. Now that is something that Biles will take happily despite missing out on her childhood dreams. However, having been involved with the sport for such a long time, Simone Biles still feels like she is the same old girl who started to jump around her house trying to be a star.

Simone Biles tries to keep the fame-hype ‘normal’

Imagine spotting Simone Biles out in the open. The immediate rush of fans and the innumerable flashlights will surely be an expected phenomenon. Well, this is something that sometimes overwhelms the champion. Because, according to her, she is still pretty much the old Simone. And surely, Biles does try to keep herself as unfiltered as she can. She still munches on her favorite American pizza and also participates in friendly banters with her family and teammates.

Thus, whenever she gets recognized as a star, in her mind, Simone Biles tries to keep things as normal as possible. Conversing with Olympics.com, Biles stated, “It still blows my mind everywhere we go that somebody recognizes me because to me I’m just still Simone, and I try to be as normal as possible, and I truly believe I am. I feel like I have a pretty good level head, so if I wasn’t Simone, I’d do everything that I want to do.

Just sometimes it takes a little bit more security or stuff.”  Thus, keeping a level head, Simone Biles has now transcended the realms of gymnastics. She is now a living legend who is a source of inspiration for the world at just 27 years old.

Watching Simone Biles in this year’s Paris Olympics really felt like witnessing history being made in front of our own eyes. The gymnast, who had had a hard time in Tokyo because of mental health problems, knew that her doubters would be looking at any opportunity to discredit her legacy. But she didn’t give them a single chance. Instead, she soared, bringing home three gold medals and a silver—proving once again why she’s the GOAT in gymnastics. But the real show-stealer of the Olympics?

Simone’s epic, down-to-the-wire battle with Rebeca Andrade for that all-around gold! Rebeca, who snagged silver in Tokyo, came back determined to level up—and her routines were so good, even Simone was sweating a little. In fact, now Biles just confessed in her Netflix doc that she honestly thought Rebeca might swoop in and take the gold right out from under her.

Simone Biles left shook as Rebeca Andrade nearly flipped gold out of her grasp!

The nervousness of Simone Biles during the all-around competition was very apparent during the fourth episode of Netflix’s Simone Biles Rising Season 2. The gymnast understood how threatening her long-term rival Rebeca Andrade could be. She became particularly worried when it was her turn for the vault event. The Brazilian carried out a beautiful Cheng vault and nearly stuck to the floor before stepping into a salute. This elicited a huge reaction from the gymnast, who thought what she witnessed was unreal.

The Olympic gold medalist said, “Once she stuck that, I was like, ‘Oh, you gotta be kidding me.’ [Simone] Once she stuck that, I was like, ‘Oh, you gotta be kidding me.’ She’s not human. People think I’m not human. She’s not human.” Rebeca’s points tally of 15.1 in the vault was the highest up till then in the category, with Suni Lee a distant second having 13.933 points.

Then it was time for Simone Biles. Now, despite her confession of getting nervous after Rebeca’s performance, there was nothing seen from it. The gymnast performed her now-retired famous Yurchenko double pike, leaping hugely before landing quite cleanly. This gave her 15.766 points and sent her to the top of the table, setting the tone for the rest of the evening. Simone Biles would ultimately take home the gold medal in the contest, edging her rival Rebeca Andrade, who settled for silver. But it’s not just the competition between her and the Brazilian, Rebeca Andrade, that makes the bond between these gymnastics rivals stand out.

The level of respect between Simone Biles and Rebeca Andrade is unmatched!

When it’s all said and done, the contest between the phenoms Simone Biles and Rebeca Andrade will go down as one of gymnastics’ greatest showdowns. Their campaigns at the Paris Olympics were proof of that—these two were battling it out for the top spot on nearly every podium! Yet, despite the fierce competition, they’ve kept it nothing but respectful. In an interview with CNN Esportes, Rebeca even shared how much she values this supportive camaraderie with Simone.

Andrade said, “So there were two athletes there with very high potential, along with other athletes too, of course, but as we are talking here about her and me, you know, with enormous potential who encouraged each other, who cheered for each other both they wanted to win But that didn’t stop us from wanting the best from each other, you know, I think that’s the most beautiful thing.” Simone has also talked about how she acts supportive of Rebeca Andrade. But the biggest honor?

Biles has acknowledged the Brazilian, Rebeca Andrade, as her greatest rival. This happened right after the neck-to-neck all-around battle at the Paris Olympics. In the post-competition interview, Simone said, “I don’t want to compete with Rebeca any more. I’m tired, like she’s way too close. I’ve never had an athlete that close.” This really shows the respect she has for her competitor.

Another classiest moment of their rivalry? Simone and Jordan Chiles bowed to Rebeca Andrade after she snagged the gold in the floor event, edging the Americans out. It was the ultimate symbol of RESPECT. So when these two eventually hang up their leotards, they’ll leave behind more than medals; they’ll leave a legacy of respect that’ll hold a special place in gymnastics forever.

Simone Biles’ Paris quest almost got derailed. Looking at her smiling face over the live telecast, things seemed to be going perfectly fine. For it was impossible to tell what exactly Biles was going through from her expressions. But the reality was far from being a dream come true scenario for Biles.

Having encountered a crushing outing in Tokyo, the 27-year-old put it all on the line for Paris. But as it seems, the Almighty perhaps wanted to test the gymnastics GOAT a little bit more. While preparing for Paris, tragedy struck Biles as she had an awkward fall into the pit.

After trying to stand up, she immediately knew something was horribly wrong with her knee. Realizing that she had hyperextended her knees. Not fathoming the seriousness of the injury, Biles went on with the pain. But it was excruciating. Recalling her painful days just before the Paris showdown, Biles said in the latest episodes of her Netflix documentary, “Whenever I would land on the floor, I thought I was gonna pass out ’cause it would hurt so bad.”

Taking up the matter immediately, the doctors and physios got to work. In order to relieve her discomfort, they opted for an injection treatment. While it worked for some time, after the body got used to the dosage, the pain kept coming back. And if this was not enough agony for Biles, she also injured her calf moments before her big Team final in Paris.

Biles immediately approached Cecile Landi as the doctors came in once again. Luckily, it was not her Achilles that was injured like Biles had feared. An ultrasound revealed that the comeback queen had a torn calf. This was disastrous for someone who was trying to win it all in her redemption tour. Having been termed as a ‘quitter’ in Tokyo, Simone Biles was determined this time. Nothing could come in between her and her quest for eliteness. Even if it meant putting her body in some serious trouble.

And so, pushing through the agonizing pain, Biles walked down the ramp, posed and smiled to the judges, and began her run. One after the other, the 27-year-old continued to conquer her competition. After the end of her spectacular mayhem, Biles had won 3 gold medals and a silver medal. Surely, she was now officially the GOAT and the greatest gymnast of the modern era. Having worked with Biles closely during her Paris stint, the director of her Netflix documentary, Katie Walsh, was left awestruck.

Katie Walsh dumbfounded at Simone Biles’ immaculate zeal

Renowned director Katie Walsh came up with a masterful idea sometime back. To document the historic career of Simone Biles. While the initial episodes leading up to Paris were released earlier, Walsh had to follow Biles around at the Olympic Village to craft the culmination of her fairytale. Undoubtedly, it was a shocker for Walsh to learn about the harrowing injury of Biles.

With the possibility of yet another scathing public outbreak looming large, Walsh witnessed firsthand how a champion is a completely different species than an average human being. Sitting down for an interview with Sport Business Journal’s Rachel Axon recently, Walsh expressed her awe about Biles. She said, “I mean, she is so tough and determined, and nothing was going to get in the way for her… Yeah. I think once you see, you know, what she was going through in those days, you just appreciate so much more.” 

Walsh further detailed how Biles used to crawl half her runway before hopping the rest of the path. In between her training, as the pain began to escalate, she would quietly rest and try to soothe her nerves. Thus, displaying some hardcore ironclad mental toughness, Simone Biles conquered all the odds. Now, she shines as the brightest star in the gymnastics realm of the greatest.

Simone Biles almost had a Deja Vu in Paris! After having a heartbreak in Tokyo due to her complications regarding twisties, Biles wanted to come back strong in Tokyo. Having prepared herself for Paris Olympics day in and day out, Biles termed it as her ‘redemption tour’.

Unfortunately, things almost got out of hand when Biles made her first attempt at the vault. Aiming for a triple-double, Biles suddenly felt an uneasy sensation in her calves. Soon after landing, Biles had a chill run down her spine.

Biles desperately prayed that her Achilles Heel would not get injured at such a crucial moment. After all, she did not want herself to be labeled as a ‘quitter’ again. In the latest episode of her Netflix documentary, ‘Simone Biles: Rising’, the US gymnastics queen reminisced about her panicking moment. She said, “As soon as I took off I was like, oh that hurt really bad that didn’t feel right. I just felt like a weird sensation in my calf muscle. And at first in my head like I’m in the air and I was like, no way that was my Achilles… I was like People are gonna think I’m quitting again” Scared to the core, Biles immediately went to her coach, Cecile Landi to seek help.

Getting herself a trainer, immediate inspections were made and thankfully, the injury was not a big deal. While Biles was asked to rest, a swarm of thoughts clouded her mind. She immediately went back to the horrific days of Tokyo when she felt an uneasy sensation within her. Not finding any other alternative, Biles had to withdraw herself, with almost the entire country labeling her as a ‘quitter’. Biles was so frustrated with people calling her names after Tokyo, she was determined to go for glory despite the odds.

Weeks before the latest episodes of the Netflix documentary were released, Biles had a conversation with her former mate, Aly Raisman. When Raisman asked her why she went through the pain in Paris and competed with a calf injury, Biles replied, “I couldn’t have people tell me I was a quitter again.” Surely, such a feeling crossing her mind was legit. After all, Biles went through a lot post her Tokyo debacle.

After she returned home, Biles almost considered giving up on gymnastics. However, it was her family and Jonathan Owens who pulled her up from the dust and instilled the zeal to come at it again. Her recovery process was not at all a bed of roses. Biles struggled significantly to get back her mojo while training and even resorted to therapy. After a long and hard toil, it was the 2023 Worlds that brought a broad smile on Biles’ face for the first time post-Tokyo.

Winning the gold medal meant a lot for her. And while the world marveled, Biles did not look back. She went on to conquer every major tournament en route to the Paris Olympics. In fact, she was so focused on her event, that the 27-year-old even skipped attending the Opening Ceremony. Thus, after all the sacrifices and hard work being done, the sensation in Simone Biles’ calves was not a good sign. But well, Biles is known to ‘rise’. Always. And so she did.

Simone Biles captures the gymnastics crown in style

With the Bercy Arena brimming with names like Ariana Grande, SnoopDog, Tom Cruise, and more, Biles had to do it. More so for her own sake than the others. And thus, it was a one-way road for the US gymnastics queen. And boy did she perform well! Taking the centerstage initially for the team finals, the legendary Olympian blew her competition to oblivion. Putting up a scintillating display on all the apparatuses, Biles ensured that the Team USA girls would have the gold this time. A feat that she could not achieve back in Tokyo.

Immediately, the headlines were made and Biles was at the top of the Olympics scenario. But the champion was not finished yet. Going on a one-on-one against her arch-rival Rebeca Andrade, Biles faced a tough challenge. Having botched her uneven bars routine, Andrade threatened to run away with the all-around title. However, Biles had the best of her performances stored for the last. After bridging the gap with Andrade on the parallel bars, it was time for the floors.

Gifting a visual treat to the audience, Biles’ impeccable floor routine rocketed her score to 59.131 to crown her the champion. With it, the GOAT locket came out and Simone Biles’ redemption was officially complete. She also added another gold in the vault and a silver in the individual floor category to mark the end of a stupendous Olympics outing at the French capital. Thus, despite going through a slight hiccup, it was her zeal and determination that made her overcome the odds and emerge as a legend of the Olympic folklore.