Simone Biles Announces She Will Return To Gymnastics Ahead Of 2024 Olympics
Fans are thrilled to hear that she'll be back on the mat, while others don't want to let her forget the time she bowed out of the competition because she got the "twisties."
Simone Biles is known around the world as a beloved American gymnast with exceptional talent and power. Born on March 14, 1997, she started her gymnastics career at a young age, quickly ascending through the ranks due to her remarkable abilities. She's celebrated for being the most decorated gymnast in World Championship history with 25 medals, 19 of which are gold.
Biles is widely acknowledged for revolutionizing the sport, pushing its boundaries with her complex and daring moves. She is the first woman to perform the Yurchenko double pike vault in competition, and the first to land a double-double dismount off the balance beam. Biles has four skills named after her in the Code of Points, each known as "The Biles" in different apparatuses. In 2016, Biles was part of the “Final Five” U.S. gymnastics team at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, where she won four gold medals and a bronze. She continued to build her legacy at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics despite the challenges she faced, earning a silver and a bronze.
Biles was famously one of the many athletes who bravely revealed they were sexually abused by former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar. Biles has since become a vocal critic of USA Gymnastics and the FBI, accusing them of failing to act promptly on the allegations against Nassar. In September 2021, she testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee, providing a powerful account of her experience and demanding accountability for the mishandling of the Nassar investigation.
Biles, along with gymnasts Aly Raisman, Makayla Maroney, and Maggie Nichols, are among over 90 claimants suing the FBI for over $1 billion due to its mishandling of the sexual abuse case against Nassar. The lawsuit accuses the FBI of failing to act promptly on multiple allegations, enabling Nassar's abuse to continue for over a year after the first reports were made in 2015. The athletes contend that had the FBI done its job appropriately, the abuse could have been halted much earlier, sparing countless victims. Nassar, who was finally arrested in late 2016 and sentenced to up to 175 years in prison in 2018, remains emblematic of one of the most notorious sexual abuse cases in American sports history. Although Biles has most recently been known for her legal battle, she has made an announcement recently about her return to her sport.
Simone Biles Announces She Will Return to Gymnastics Ahead of 2024 Olympics
Fans are excited that Biles is set to make her comeback at the 2023 U.S. Classic in August, as confirmed by USA Gymnastics. This follows weeks of speculation after Biles' name was spotted in the list of several events in an upcoming competition. The celebrated gymnast herself affirmed the rumors of her return via her Twitter. "Sorry I've been a little MIA since the announcement," she wrote, adding, "I’m overwhelmed with all of your messages, support & love! Excited to get back out on the competition floor! XOXO.”
Stefanie Korepin, Chief Programs Officer at USA Gymnastics, showed support for the athlete, acknowledging that every athlete has their unique journey, and the organization would back them in whatever stage they find themselves.
Biles' last competition was at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, where she made the decision to withdraw mid-event due to experiencing the "twisties," a condition gymnasts describe as losing a sense of their body’s position while twisting in the air. After competing in one more event, she announced an indefinite hiatus from gymnastics to focus on her mental health.
During her time off, Biles made strides in advocating for mental health. She formed partnerships with mental health organizations, using her platform to raise awareness about the significance of mental well-being. Moreover, she took the time to relish in her personal life. The 24-year-old gymnast began a relationship with NFL player Jonathan Owens. The couple tied the knot in a courthouse ceremony in April and celebrated their union with a grander ceremony in Cabo San Lucas a month later, attended by family and friends.
Biles' return is highly anticipated by her fans and the sporting community worldwide. The gymnast has continually shown exceptional prowess in her sport and has left a mark as one of the most influential gymnasts of her generation. Many of her fans have come forward to support her decision and let her know that they're excited about her return. Simultaneously, there are some people who have chosen to leave less positive comments on her page, sarcastically hoping that she doesn't just "quit" halfway through the next competition. Regardless of the people who don't enjoy watching Biles, there are plenty of fans and supporters who are encouraging her to get back to the mat and show the world what else she can accomplish.
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