Simone Biles isn’t just talking the talk—she’s soaring higher than ever. Three years ago, the world watched in astonishment as the U.S. finished second at the Tokyo Olympics, despite entering as heavy favourites. The shocking result followed Biles’ withdrawal from the final due to the ‘twisties,’ a condition where a gymnast’s mind and body fall out of sync. Her decision to prioritize mental health sparked a global conversation about the importance of psychological well-being in elite sports.
Since that pivotal moment, Biles has consistently walked the walk. On Tuesday morning (July 30), hours before she and her Tokyo teammates—Jordan Chiles, Suni Lee, Jade Carey—along with newcomer Hezly Rivera, clinched Team USA’s fourth-ever gold medal in the women’s team event at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Biles stayed true to her commitment.
“At the beginning of the day, I started off with therapy this morning. That was super exciting,” Biles shared. “I told my therapist I was feeling calm and ready.”
Inside a packed Bercy Arena, buzzing with fans decked out in red, white, and blue, Biles left no doubt. She sprinted down the vaulting runway to open her team final, a moment that could have triggered a flashback to Tokyo. But instead, she nailed her Cheng vault flawlessly.
“After I finished vault, I was relieved,” she admitted. “I was like, ‘Phew!’ because at least no flashbacks or anything. I did feel a lot of relief. As soon as I landed vault, I was like, ‘Definitely we’re going to do this.’”
For Biles and Team USA, it was smooth sailing to her eighth Olympic medal, surpassing Shannon Miller to become the all-time American leader in the sport. Her second Olympic team gold medal, she says, feels entirely different from the first.
“I think in 2016, we were destined to win gold; everybody kind of already said we were going to win gold,” Biles reflected. “Now that I’m much older and we have so much more experience, we’re out here really having fun and enjoying what we’re doing. It just felt a little bit different tonight. It was super exciting, we had fun, we enjoyed each other’s time out there, and we just did our gymnastics.”
Biles’ journey from Tokyo to Paris is a testament to her resilience, emphasizing the crucial balance between mental health and elite performance. As she continues to make history, she’s also redefining what it means to be a champion.
Main Image: SELF Magazine
