Tag

simone biles

Browsing

Mark your calendars for April 2nd, 2024, as the gymnastics world braces itself for an event like no other. The gymnastics world is all geared up to witness the return of a legend on the mat. With the anticipation building up for the Paris Olympics 2024, all eyes are on none other than the incomparable Simone Biles.

Biles is now all set to make her 2024 debut at the National Team Camp. More than 30 athletes will be participating in the event. Besides Simone Biles, other talented athletes, including Jordan Chiles, Shilese Jones, Skye Blakely, Nola Matthews, Jaysha McClendon, Simone Rose, and Norah Christian, will be gracing the camp. The USA Gymnastics National Team Camp 2024 is ready to captivate fans across the globe. But are you aware of where and when you can witness the spectacle?

As the excitement reaches the sky, fans are eager to know where and when they can catch all the actions live. The camp will be stretching for over four days and will prepare and select gymnasts to represent their country in international events in April 2024. The selected junior and senior teams will perform in the Pacific Rim Championships in Cali, Columbia, and also in the City of Jesolo Trophy, which will be held in Jesolo, Italy.

On the 2nd of April, the talented athletes will gather in Katy, Texas to showcase their skills in four events. The performances of the participants will also help them to strengthen their ground and go up the ladder of the national ranking, which in turn will reflect in their next step for the upcoming summer Olympics. The USA Gymnastics National Team Camp 2024 will be live telecasted on FlipNow.TV. The subscribers of FlipNow.TV will have free access to the exclusive live streaming. But the excitement doesn’t end there. Fans who do not have a subscription can also opt for pay-per-view access for just $9.99 for the whole day.

The four events will be conducted in two sessions. In the morning, at 9:50 am Eastern Time, both balance beam and floor exercises will be conducted. In the evening, at 5:30 pm Eastern Time, athletes will be performing the other two routines, the uneven bars and vault.

The athletes who will be attending the camp have to also meet certain eligibility criteria. They either have to be a current member of the junior or senior national team. The top 12 senior athletes and top 6 junior athletes in the all-around at the 2024 Winter Cup, who have achieved the U.S. Championship qualification score, are also eligible for the camp. Besides them, 2020 Olympic medalists can attend the camp.

Simone Biles, alongside other top gymnasts of the country, will be eyeing for a coveted spot on the national team preparing for international glory. But Olympic medalist Gabby Douglas, who is aiming to represent the US in the Olympics after an eight-year-long hiatus, won’t be attending the camp.

On the other hand, Suni Lee, who has been fighting against the horrifying kidney disease, will be missing the US April Camp. Biles did not compete in the Winter Cup 2024 and thus fans will eagerly wait for her return to the camp. So, don’t miss out on the chance to witness the exhilarating showdown on the mat and also be a part of history in the making.

Simone Biles is about to hit the ground running once again. Speculations are there that the queen of gymnastics is about to make a comeback, at least if the latest reports around her season debut in the USA Gymnastics women’s national team camp are to be believed. The camp is going to be an opportunity for the gymnasts to fix their berths for the Pacific Rim Championship. The former event is scheduled for tomorrow in Katy, Texas, and will be concluded on April 4th.

Biles’ fans were left saddened after she decided not to compete in the Winter Cup this year, which was anticipated to be her 2024 season opener. The gymnastics community will be graced by Simone Biles scintillating routines once again if she comes back tomorrow to compete. As anticipation mounts and adrenaline surges, fans eagerly await their superstar’s return as a video of her pulling out some effortless maneuvers goes viral prior to the event.

The video was shared by Interestingasf**k on their Reddit handle, in which Simone Biles, as per her typical reputation, is performing some electrifying floor exercise routines. The footage captioned Simone Biles is nothing less than superhuman” looks to be taken from the US Olympic team trials. In the clip, the Columbus native can be seen running, and after a couple of flips, she hits a perfect and seamless corkscrew, which looks terrific and satisfying at the same time. Upon landing, she elevates her hand in her distinctive manner, marking yet another signature moment.

If everything goes right, the same can be expected from Simone Biles at the 2024 Pacific Rim Championships. The event will witness around 18 athletes from the United States battling it out against some of the best global gymnasts. The competition is scheduled to kick off from April 21st to April 28th in Cali, Colombia, and the City of Jesolo Trophy on April 20th and 21st in Jesolo, Italy. Fans would have their fingers crossed as they have been waiting forever to see Biles perform, and their appreciation for the Ohio-based icon in the earlier mentioned video speaks volumes about their love for the Olympian.

Fans reach for the stars in Biles admiration

The video was posted on the platform on Saturday, and the comment section of the snippet is just a perfect example of what Simone Biles has earned from the fans over the years. One fan reflected a shift in his perspective after witnessing Simone Biles’ skill firsthand and wrote, I remember there was a time when I thought what’s the big hype about her. Then I saw a video much like this one. Then I was like oh ok, yeah she’s incredible.” Another fan expressed awe and admiration for Simone Biles’ remarkable athleticism and stated, Both of my legs would’ve shattered.”

The comment Authentic GOAT,” praised Simone Biles in an authentic and genuine manner. One other fan emphasized her exceptional talent and accomplishments, compared her to a superhuman, and wrote“Simone Biles is nothing less than superhuman. Six world championships, 30 world class medals, 24 gold? I think she can fly. You go girl!” Other comments, like How do you even get your body to do that” perfectly capture the athleticism of Simone Biles and what she is capable of doing.

 

The USA gymnastics is in the headlines for all the wrong reasons once again. It’s the allegations against Iowa Athletics women’s gymnastics program head coach Larissa Libby that have added to the ever-lasting concerns over the integrity of the sport. Well, this is not the first time when the gymnastics community was taken aback by the distasteful allegations against an official that left everyone shocked.

Larry Nassar is an infamous name in the domain, who was accused of mol**ing female gymnasts, was later found guilty, and was sentenced to 175 years in prison. Sadly, these are not the only instances when USA gymnastics came under the radar of sports pundits due to the objectionable controversies that formed dark clouds around the sport. Let’s delve deeper and explore the most disgraceful gymnastics controversies over the years.

Larry Nassar was formerly employed as a physiatrist at USA Gymnastics and the Károlyi Ranch, and he used to treat many female athletes. But later in the time, several complaints were lodged against him for s**ally abusing his patients, among which most of the victims were minor girls. In 2017, he pleaded guilty to the latter charges and was sentenced to 175 years in jail. Renowned names like Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, Gabby Douglas, and several others had testified against him at the time. This was reported to be the biggest sex a**se scandal in sports history, and it remains a blemish on the sport to date.

As per the reports from The Daily Iowan, the staff and team members of Iowa Athletics have raised their concerns against coach Libby regarding the environment within the program. The facility said in its statement that efforts are being made to ensure that it provides the student athletes with a safer and more courteous atmosphere. Phil Catanzano, the co-founder of the Education and Sports Law Group, has been given the responsibility to undertake the review. However, the final report is yet to be submitted, as the case is still under investigation.

When Simone Biles faced the bitter pill of improper scoring

In 2021, Biles had already established herself as one of the most decorated sporting icons in history, having won four Olympic golds and 19 world championships at the time. She was pulling maneuvers that even her male counterparts were unable to replicate, but a conflict started to surface that the Ohio native was not being accurately assessed by the judges, and her performances and her exceptional routines were undervalued. It was reported that she was not credited efficiently for the moves that were super difficult to perform, and hence, it all started.

MyKayla Skinner is a renowned name in USA gymnastics, but in 2021, when Skinner fixed her berth on the US team for the Olympics, her selection was met with mixed reactions. Some of the fans appreciated her, while most of them questioned her selection and stated that she shouldn’t be given priority over her compatriots, like Riley McCusker and Kara Eaker. During the Olympics as well, her fans weren’t happy with her being snubbed from the team competition in spite of Skinner’s high level of difficulty.

Despite the steps being taken to provide the gymnasts with the best facilities, the on-ground results seem disappointing. Jennifer Sey, a former USA gymnastics athlete, made claims that mental harassment is an everyday thing for the athletes, and they are constantly being abused by their coaches and other officials. “They’re stretched to the point of injury; they’re denied food; they’re fat-shamed. The child is really just beaten down. And this culture is so deeply embedded that it’s almost invisible,” was the statement she gave to Vox.com in 2021.

The sports realm has been graced by numerous influential female athletes over the years who not only carved out their legacy but also opened doors for others. A 73-singles title winner, Serena Williams, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players in the world, surely makes that list, and one of her American counterparts, Simone Biles, who has been gracing the gymnastics mat for years, is another athlete who has been a trailblazer in sports. The two have inspired several women out there to pursue sports as a legit professional career.

In a similar vein, a Jamaican athlete who found motivation in these two athletes has come up with her style of paying tribute to these icons. The quadruple Olympic gold medalist voiced her opinions on social media and shared a Mt. Rushmore list of female athletes who she thinks have revolutionized their respective sports.

It was five-time Olympic medalist Sanya Richards-Ross who was having a conversation about the pioneering figures in sports when she revealed four names that came to her mind right away. “I mean, the number one I think undisputed obviously is Serena Williams; she has been an inspiration to all athletes across any sport,” she states.

Talking about Biles, she added, The other person who jumps into my head right away, and of course she’s competing now, and I got to see her full journey, and she’s still going, Simone Biles, and I think what she’s done not just for sport but also for mental health gives her that status.”

Furthermore, five-time Olympic medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee, who she said was her hero and is by far the track and field GOAT of her generation, is third on her list. Former world number one and 39 grand slam title holder Billie Jean King is the fourth athlete who has inspired Richards-Ross. With all that being said, there are several other names who have paved the way for others just by casually playing the sport with finesse.

Other legendary female athletes who blazed trails for others

Florence Griffith Joyner is considered one of the best track and field athletes to have graced the sport, and her still intact world record of 10.49 seconds in 100 meters and 21.34 seconds in 200 meters and five Olympic medals speak volumes about her legendary legacy in athletics. Faith Kipyegon, who once ran barefoot before carving a path of her own, expressed her desire to motivate the youth to pursue track and field in Kenya, and she very much did so.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is another athlete who has stated multiple times that she wants to inspire women before bidding adieu to her decorated career of ten world titles and eight Olympic medals. Sha’Carri Richardson and many other female athletes of the modern era have also started to march towards crafting their own legacy.

On March 14th, the gymnastics world celebrates Simone Biles Day. Honoring the incomparable GOAT, the internet flooded with love for her as she marked her 27th year around the sun. In a heartwarming moment, shortly after Simone’s baby daughter twin shared a touching message, her closest friend Jordan Chiles melted the gymternet with a sweet tribute.

Jordan Chiles melts hearts with an endearing message to Simone Biles

Taking to her Instagram stories, Jordan Chiles shared a beautiful collage capturing the journey of herself and Simone Biles through the years. With deep affection, she penned in the caption, “Everyone, it’s her birthday!!! Happy birthday to my ride or die, my other half, my best friend, my partner in crime, and my big sis!! Mo, I love you so much and wouldn’t change the world for anything!!!”  Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles share a deep and enduring friendship that has blossomed over the years. Their bond began when Chiles faced a setback in her gymnastics career in 2018, prompting Biles to extend a helping hand.

Biles invited Chiles to train with her and her coaches at the World Champions Center in Texas, where Chiles found renewed passion for the sport. Since then, their friendship has only grown stronger. They have supported each other through triumphs and challenges, both on and off the gymnastics floor. Speaking of how proud she is of Jordan, Simone once told ESPN, “It’s been exciting to watch her grow in and out of the gym. I see her pushing herself every day, which is inspiring.” As we gush about Jordan’s wish, let us also see how Simone Biles’ “Baby Daughter Twin” wished her a happy birthday.

Zoe Miller, Simone Biles’ fellow WCC training partner and whom she calls her “lil baby daughter, twin” sent her an adorable birthday wish via her Instagram story. In a collage of seven images, Miller expressed her heartfelt message, calling Biles her “best freaking friend” and the “best big sis ever.” She conveyed her gratitude for their relationship and wished her “big sister, mom twin” Simone Biles, a happy birthday, adding a playful note about eating hot dogs.

The collage included various snapshots capturing moments of their friendship, from gymnastics competitions to beach vacations, showcasing the depth of their bond. As Simone Biles celebrates another year, fans eagerly anticipate the unfolding chapters of the journey of the most decorated gymnast in history.

The past week has been an extraordinary celebration for gymnastics queen Simone Biles. March 14, 2024, marked the joyous occasion of her 27th birthday, a milestone met with love and excitement around the world. Adding to the jubilation, her beloved husband, Jonathan Owens, penned a lucrative two-year contract with the prestigious Chicago Bears, affirming a new chapter of success and triumph in his professional journey.

Amidst the whirlwind of festivities, Mr. and Mrs. Owens found themselves immersed in the enchanting allure of Chicago, Illinois, on a romantic escapade to revel in their shared achievements and the bond of their love. The gymnastics phenom allured her 7.1 million followers with a sneak peek into the continued celebrations.

Simone Biles, ever the beacon of infectious joy, graciously invited her fans into their intimate celebrations through captivating snapshots on her Instagram stories. She shared a series of captivating stories, beginning with a charming toast with mimosa glasses to kick off her “birthday weekend.” Subsequent tales unveiled their opulent hotel room, adorned with vibrant balloons, captioned “Checked in.”

The following slides showcased a stunning coral and pink butterfly-themed birthday cake, encircled by delicate mini purple butterfly cupcakes, complemented by birthday balloons, exuding elegance. A tender glimpse into their private sanctuary revealed a luxuriant bathtub decorated with fragrant rose petals. As we marvel at these adorable moments, this post by the gymnastics legend comes just hours after Jonathan Owens officially became a Bear.

JO officially signed to the Chicago Bears

Just hours before their festivities began, Jonathan Owens officially inked his contract with the Chicago Bears. Though physically apart, he ensured Simone Biles was present virtually, keeping her on video call during the signing. Sharing the heartwarming moment in his stories, he wrote, “Had to make sure my lady was there through every step of it all,” capturing the essence as he posed with his phone, Simone on the other end.

In his Instagram post expressing his excitement for the new journey, Simone Biles, filled with pride for her partner, commented, “so proud of you baby! can’t wait to see what this year holds! BEAR DOWN.” As the couple indulges in this romantic escapade, fans eagerly anticipate further glimpses into their intimate celebrations.

The United States has been a pioneer in presenting the world with some of the most exceptional gymnasts who have kept the ‘mat’ running for years. With names like Simone Biles leading the way, athletes such as MyKayla Skinner have also etched their names in the history books for their groundbreaking routines. Skinner has now become one of the most influential gymnastics figures out there, but her story of making it to the Olympic podium, which was almost on the horns of a dilemma, is one of a kind.

It was her compatriot and the queen of gymnastics, Simone Biles, who helped her in the most unexpected way possible to win her first Olympic medal. Years have passed since the incident, and the Arizona-based gymnast revisited the old happy memories and shared some inside secrets about the event.

The 27-year-old former artistic gymnast uncovered her story in an interview with Inside Gymnastics Magazine on Sunday. She had a tumultuous run during the Tokyo Olympics qualifications when she finished fourth on vault and could not make it to the finals due to the two gymnasts per nation rule. Skinner was heartbroken, as she thought her career was over and was ready to board the flight back home as well.

To the surprise of Skinner and the whole gymnastics community, Simone Biles decided to take her name back from the vault final, which made MyKayla participate in the latter category. Doing this for us. It’s go time, baby!” she posted for Biles on social media later.

On D-Day, Skinner came to the vault finals firing on all cylinders, as she had nothing to lose and lit the arena on fire with her spellbinding routines. After the finals were done and dusted, the Gilbert native became an overnight sensation after securing a silver in the finals, and her lifelong dream of becoming an Olympic medalist came to life in a flash. Furthermore, her qualification for the Tokyo Olympics is also a tale that needs every fan’s attention.

How she made it to the event

The gymnast was not having the best time after missing out on the Rio Olympics and two world championship events, and she came back to elite professional endeavors after her senior year at Utah. To add more to her hardships, the Olympics were also delayed due to the pandemic, and she herself was dealing with some health conditions at the time. However, she gave it all during the qualifications and secured a spot on the USA team.

The American prodigy placed fifth in the St. Louis organized Olympic trials, which earned her a spot on the team alongside her counterpart, Jade Carey. However, her dream of making it to the podium met with an upsetting end following her performance in individual medals and rotation with the team in qualifications. But she remained calm and focused until the end, and her story of winning the medal is something that needs to go out there.

 

Around the globe, anticipation is mounting, with less than five months remaining until the 2024 Paris Olympics. In the gymnastics world, fans are eagerly awaiting the spectacular showdowns from the world’s finest gymnasts on the pinnacle stage. Big names are set to dominate the floor, but the biggest among them is Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history.

Her return to the Olympic stage, following the tumultuous Tokyo Olympics in 2021, has fans ecstatic to see her proudly waving the American flag once again. And amidst the throngs of admirers stands the “Unofficial Den Mother of USA Gymnastics.”

In an Instagram post by The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie from the Today Show made a guest appearance. Renowned for their camaraderie and iconic showbiz entertainment perspectives, the hosts were captivated as Jimmy Fallon queried them about their plans for the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics.

Overflowing with excitement, Hoda Kotb exclaimed, “Ya’ll, we are going to dominate gymnastics,” getting wild cheers from the crowd. Jimmy Fallon chimed in, highlighting Simone Biles’ return, further igniting the excitement of both the ladies and the audience. Amidst the thrilled atmosphere, Hoda Kotb shared, “This is going to be Simone’s chapter. Like, I feel like she’s going to be incredible.”

Notably, in the past, Simone Biles had hinted at her Olympic aspirations in a 2023 conversation with Hoda, sharing, “That’s the path I would love to go,” making Hoda’s presence as their biggest cheerleader all the more heartwarming. As we reflect on this moment, let us find out why Hoda was affectionately dubbed the “unofficial den mother of USA Gymnastics.”

Savannah Guthrie narrated on the Tonight Show how Hoda Kotb and she both went to Tokyo and Beijing to report on the Olympics during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hoda loves the USA gymnastics team, and Savannah Guthrie shared, “Hoda is like the unofficial den mother of USA Gymnastics.” This even got the endearing host in trouble as the events were held amidst the pandemic, preventing athletes’ parents and family members from attending.

Despite the challenges, Hoda was moved to offer hugs to the gymnasts who couldn’t be with their families. However, the Japanese organizers, who were hosting the Olympics, didn’t like that idea. Savannah Guthrie laughingly imitated them, saying, “Tell that woman to stop hugging the athletes.”

With the Paris Olympics scheduled from July 27 to August 5, 2024, excitement grows to see Simone Biles grace the pinnacle stage once more. And as fans await her return, they also hope to see the spirited two hosts, Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie, cheering on the athletes with enthusiasm.

Simone Biles’ gymnastics debut in 2024 is one of the most anticipated moments ahead of the Paris Olympics. The phenom dominated 2023, becoming the most decorated gymnast, and fans can’t wait to see what she has in store this year.

However, as we await this blazing moment, which will probably happen at the 2024 US Classic, Simone’s doppelgänger sister, Adria Biles, gracefully stepped into the gymnastics hype and garb, showing off the family’s inherent talent for the sport.

Simone Biles’ sister Adria Biles took to her Instagram stories on March 8, 2024, showing off her gymnastics skills. The snippet shared was taken at the World Champions Center (WCC) in Houston, Texas, which is owned by Biles’ parents, Nellie and Ronald Biles, and where the legend Simone trains. Adria, dressed in a blue sweatshirt and mustard sweatpants, gracefully took the floor while fellow gym members cheered her on.
In a breathtaking moment, she executed a flawless 360-degree standing backflip, eliciting wild cheers from the gymnasts in training. Exhilarated by her performance, Adria celebrated with excited energy as she lept with joy. In her caption, she reflected on the enduring nature of gymnastics, stating, “Have to make sure I still got it every once in a while.” As we marvel at the skills of Adria Biles, let us find out why she did not pursue gymnastics like Simone Biles.

Simone Biles and her twin flame and younger sister, Adria Biles, share a close-knit bond. Adria is often mistaken for her iconic sister, and once humorously shared, “I’m a good head taller than her. When we are side by side, people can definitely tell us apart.” She has always been a supportive sister to Simone, particularly in Simone’s gymnastics career. Adria followed in Simone Biles’ footsteps and began practicing gymnastics at the age of 9. She competed at a high level, reaching Level 9 (junior elite) by 2015.

Adria competed for a decade before retiring from gymnastics in 2016. Simone Biles once opened up to fans, sharing the reason why Adria quit the sport. She shared how her talented sister faced significant pressure and constant comparisons to Simone, which took a toll on her. Simone said, Whenever she went to competitions like ‘Oh, her sister always wins, she always wins, that’s not fair.’ So she quit.”

Following her gymnastics career, Adria joined the Shooting Stars, the professional dance team of the Houston Astros baseball team. Today, as a dental assistant, she continues to radiate her love for gymnastics and is Simone’s staunch cheerleader and confidante. As Simone Biles paves her path toward Paris 2024, fans anticipate witnessing more of Adria’s talents and her presence at the Olympics, where she will undoubtedly cheer her sister to success.

“I always say that the men are the catch [in a relationship].” Until Jonathan Owens said this last year, his relationship with Simone Biles was the stuff of romance movies in the eyes of the gymnast’s fans. They met in 2020 through a dating app called Raya, and with time, their love grew. In 2023, they tied the knot. So, after the Green Bay Packers safety made this comment on The Pivot podcast, fans’ perception of him hasn’t been the best. But considering how lovely Biles and Owens’ marriage is, they seemed to have put it in the past. Until now.

The St. Louis native recently appeared on The Corner Suite Pod podcast and was asked to clear the air about “the catch” controversy. In the conversation posted on the podcast’s Instagram handle, Owens said, “The comment that I made was just jokingly, but people took it so seriously.” Making his case, the NFL star added how he met Biles during the COVID-19 pandemic, and they never used to go anywhere but to each other’s houses. Explaining how Simone Biles never bragged about herself, he revealed he didn’t realize the “magnitude of her success.” 

This conversation led to the Packers safety accusing people of bringing up his tweets from 2012. During their appearance on The Pivot podcast, Owens described coming across Biles’ profile on Raya. Claiming that he didn’t know the gymnast back then – and saying he “never really paid attention to gymnastics” – didn’t sit well with Biles’ fans.

Some dug-up posts from 2012 where Owens commended Gabby Douglas for her performance, even though he said he “didn’t have NBC.” He further shed light on the criticism he faced for not knowing about the 2016 Olympics, where Biles secured four back-to-back Olympic golds in all four events (team events, all-around, floor exercises, and vault).

The 28-year-old also explained his lack of awareness: his busy NFL schedule of “6 a.m. to 11 p.m.” Despite Owens making his case, fans have once more voiced their disapproval.

Simone Biles’ fans question Owens’ actions to “relive” a forgotten controversy

As soon as the video caught the attention of Simone Biles fans, they took no time and started putting Jonathan Owens on the spot. In response to his explanation of the brutal morning-to-night football schedule, a fan ensured they made it clear that “t Owen’s explanation was nothing but an excuse. “No. I do understand the schedule. I’m a hardcore Packers fan, too. Your comment was still out of pocket. Just say you’re sorry,” they wrote.

While Biles fans seemed to have put the whole controversy to rest, one Instagram user highlighted how they think Owens hasn’t moved on yet. Calling him out for his clarification, they penned, “The explanation is subpar. Just move on from this topic and keep showing your love for your wife.” Another fan echoed this sentiment, writing, “He really needs to stop talking, geez.”

The last time he was on a podcast, the controversy started. And now, with a podcast appearance, the same controversy has restarted. Considering this, a user – who had left this in the past – wrote, “Mr. Biles, respectfully sir, stay off podcasts. We forgot all about this.” Enraged fans continued with their critical feedback, writing, “Chilllleee, does he really want to relive this?”

Seeing as Simone Biles was right alongside him when he made “the catch” comment, among other things, another fan opined, “WHEWWW, Mrs. Biles probably had a few choice words for him now he’s on an “I’m Sorry” tour.” The question to Owens was posed to “clear the air.” However, according to a fan, “This didn’t clear the air, this just made us relive it again.”

Amid all the backlash, a few understood Jonathan Owens as well. One of them empathized, “We get it! Those that been in that life understand how cut off from reality you are once camp starts.” Another one stated, “He owes no explanations to anyone.”