By: Ansel Dong
Simone Biles, the accomplished 26-year-old Olympian and four-time gold medalist, embarked on a journey of healing and rejuvenation through therapy after facing a period of uncertainty. Contemplating her participation in a third Olympics, she confronted the heavy expectations that accompany being regarded as the GOAT (Greatest of All Time).
It was in the middle of spring that Biles made a committed decision to immerse herself in rigorous training, a choice solidified over margaritas in a conversation with her coaches. This dedication culminated in her resolute participation in the US Classic held on a Saturday evening in late June. Stepping onto the podium, Biles was met with a chorus of supportive cheers and a sea of handcrafted signs. For her, this marked a remarkable shift, as the cacophony that had troubled her for the past 732 days (approximately 2 years) was finally muted. In a triumphant return, Biles clinched victory in her inaugural meet since the Tokyo Games, attaining a notable all-around score of 59.1200. Her performance outshone her competitors, with a five-point lead over the runner-up, Leanne Wong. Biles expressed her astonishment, stating, “I feel really good about where I am right now, mentally and physically. I still think there are some things to work on in my routines, but for the first meet back, I would say it went well. I’m very shocked. Surprised.”
Displaying her enduring prowess, Biles secured the highest scores on three out of the four events, emphatically reaffirming her status as an unrivaled force within her sport. Despite acknowledging her lingering anxiety during twisting elements of her routines, Biles exuded a sense of contentment throughout the two-hour event, offering a glimpse of what may unfold in the lead-up to the forthcoming Paris Olympics next summer. Throughout her performance, Biles radiated energy, particularly evident in her floor exercise, a discipline in which her tumbling passes have historically posed challenges. Skillfully adapting her routines to leverage the sport’s updated Code of Points, Biles executed some of gymnastics’ most demanding maneuvers with seemingly effortless grace.
Biles has accomplished many breathtaking achievements during the past few years. She has won 25 Olympic medals in her career. Additionally, on July 2017, she accepted the award for Best Female Athlete during the 25th annual ESPY Awards in Los Angeles. On July 7, 2022, President Joe Biden presented the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, to Biles.
Reflecting on her comeback, she shared, “I knew I could come back and hopefully have a shot. It’s just about really taking care of my body right now. So that’s what we’re doing. It’s working.” In a poignant comparison to her previous performance at the same meet in 2018, Biles achieved a higher all-around score, demonstrating her unwavering determination and growth.