Entertainment
‘I Worked on Myself’: Biles Shines in Return After 2021 Tokyo Struggles
By Jake Beardslee · August 7, 2023
In brief…
- Gynmastic superstar Simone Biles competed this weekend for the first time since withdrawing from events at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
- In Tokyo she experienced "the twisties" - a mental block where gymnasts lose track of their positioning as they spin through the air.
- She placed first in the all around at the Auxtin, Texas event this weekend.
- The event was the first step in her comback, which may lead to Biles participating in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Simone Biles made a triumphant return to gymnastics competition Saturday, dominating in her first meet since withdrawing from several events at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
Biles, considered by many the greatest gymnast of all time, had not competed since the Tokyo Summer Olympic Games, where she experienced a frightening episode of “the twisties” - a mental block where gymnasts lose track of their positioning as they spin through the air. She ultimately had to withdraw from the all-around final at the Tokyo games, where she was on course to become the first two-time all-around gold medalist in 57 years.
Her struggles in Tokyo raised awareness of the intense pressure faced by Olympic athletes and the toll high-level competition can take on their mental health.
On Saturday, a resilient Biles showed she is ready to return to the pinnacle of her sport. Competing at the U.S. Classic in Fort Worth, Texas, she place first in the all around, posting the top scores on balance beam, floor exercise and vault - while placing third on the uneven bars.
“After everything that kind of transpired in Tokyo, I worked on myself a lot,” Biles told NBC Sports. “I still do therapy weekly.”
Fans were thrilled to see the superstar athlete back in action. Biles’ confident performance was an encouraging step as she looks ahead to the U.S. Gymnastics Championships this month and, potentially, the 2024 Paris Olympics.
While an Olympic comeback still remains up in the air, the 25-year-old superstar took a giant leap for forward with her successful return to the competitive arena this weekend.