Simone Biles and Athleta Presents Gold Over America Tour Lights Up 30 U.S. Arenas this Fall (Graphic: Business Wire)

Simone Biles, Fred Richard, and other favorite stars of the gymnastics world leap into action at arenas around the country in the Athleta Presents Gold Over America Tour. The high-flying performance lands in Oceanside, California, September 17 following the international competition in Paris.

Following the success of the 2021 tour, the Athleta Presents Gold Over America Tour is an exhilarating display of jaw-dropping athleticism and high-energy choreography with an inspirational message of hope, strength, resilience, and determination. Led by Biles, the most decorated gymnast of all time, the Athleta Presents Gold Over America Tour—or GOAT, its sublime acronym—will have audiences on the edge of their seat with every tumble, twist and gravity-defying trick.

“From the world’s stage to the GOAT stage, this incredible journey continues, and I can’t wait for fans to see what we have in store this year,” says Biles. “I love creating unforgettable memories for our audiences every night on tour.”

This pop concert-style spectacle will showcase the athletic brilliance and championship journeys of Biles and cast members Jade Carey, Jordan Chiles, Katelyn Ohashi, Peng-Peng Lee, Shilese Jones, Fred Richard, Mélanie Johanna De Jesus Dos Santos, Kayla Dicello, Evita Griskenas, Casimir Schmidt and more.

“We’ve put together an all-new show unlike anything that’s been staged before with gymnastics,” says Director and Creator Mark “Swany” Swanhart. “Simone is one of the best collaborative partners I’ve ever worked with.”

Following a two-year break from the sport, Biles returned in 2023 with a history-making performance at the World Championships where she won four gold medals and added another skill – The Biles II (vault) – to the Code of Points. The first woman to capture six titles, Biles is the most decorated gymnast in history (female or male) with 37 medals overall (23 gold) and is a seven-time Olympic medalist (four gold). A three-time Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year and Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year, she has earned the rare distinction of having five skills named in her honor – The Biles – in the beam, floor (two) and vault (two) disciplines. Team USA vaulted from fourth to third in the final two rotations to win the men’s team bronze medal at the FIG Artistic World Championships. Fred Richard made history, becoming only the fourth and youngest U.S. man to win an all-around medal.

“The Gold Over America Tour enables fans to see some of the world’s best gymnasts in a celebratory, non-competitive environment,” USA Gymnastics President and CEO Li Li Leung said. “Having the tour at the end of one of the biggest years ever for the sport provides a great opportunity for athletes and fans alike.”

The creative team for the tour includes Director Mark “Swany” Swanhart and Associate Director Louanne Madorma, along with world-renowned gymnastics coach Valorie “Miss Val” Kondos Field, who serves as Supervising Choreographer for the tour.

Biles’ long-term apparel partner, Athleta, returns as the title sponsor supporting the brand’s “Find Your Movement” rally cry and mission to build confidence, strength and belonging through movement. Gold sponsors include SPIETH and GK; Spieth is the global leader in gymnastics equipment with over 190 years of tradition, innovative design and athlete-proven performance. GK is the largest gymnastics apparel brand in the world and has been crafting the best fitting apparel for more than 40 years. Supplier sponsor K18 is a biology-first haircare company with clinically proven, high-performance results that transform hair routines and lives. The sponsors represent a commitment to excellence and innovation and reflect the tour’s dedication to empowering athletes and fans alike.

The Athleta Presents Gold Over America Tour will visit 30 U.S. arenas this fall including stops in Los Angeles, Chicago and Boston. Presales begin May 15 and 16, and tickets are on sale to the general public beginning May 17; group tickets are available now.

“This dress really celebrates tapping into keeping it simple, keeping it quality,” Gigi Hadid had said about her monochrome Prada outfit at the 2021 Met Gala. Her freshly done red hair color attracted a lot of attention. However, it was her jewelry that stole the show. Her Jacob & Co’s 118-carat necklace and 10-carat earrings completed the look. Together, they cost a whopping USD 12 million.

While that was outstanding in terms of price, not far behind was Simone Biles, with her 88-pound two-piece ensemble crafted by Area and Athleta. Simone declared her outfit superior, asserting, “I personally don’t think anybody’s dress is gonna be better than mine.” This bold statement wasn’t wrong as her dress left a memorable mark in the history of the Met Gala fashion. But that was not merely a fashion revolution. Rather, as Simone had pointed out, the impeccably crafted piece added something more to Simone’s persona.

Simone Biles’ Met Gala 2021 debut was beautifully empowering!

“It’s definitely heavy, but I feel beautiful, strong, and empowered,” Simone said in 2021, as per Vogue. Teaming up with stylist Leslie Fremar, Athleta collaborated with Area to craft the stunning ensemble for Biles, who attended the event as an esteemed guest of the company. Her debut at the Met Gala was a unique blend of sporty elegance, featuring a star-patterned turtleneck bodysuit layered beneath a dazzling Swarovski crystal-encrusted gown. It even had a detachable train. The train was so heavy that it had to be carried up the steps by a team of six men! So image the efforts it took to make the dress.

A dedicated team of over 100 individuals invested 6,650 hours to meticulously embellish and construct the garments. The intricate craftsmanship and the look exuded effortless grace, perfectly complementing Biles’ radiant presence on the red carpet. Biles accessorized it with Giuseppe Zanotti heels.

The attire had a vision behind it. Her team described the dress as “the intersection where performance, strength, and beauty meet.” To further establish the statement, Biles’ hair and makeup also highlighted her inherent power.

“I wanted Simone’s hair to represent African American women with its texture and sleekness. The thickness and texture are the best of both worlds and really capture the epitome of African American hair. The stars represent power and beauty on a natural level, just like Simone does,” her hairstylist Nigella Miller had said about the hairdo. Alongside, her makeup was also done to complement the entire look.

“We kept it light to be sure the dress and her hair are the focal point, and she’s wearing very little foundation because her skin is flawless,” makeup artist Autumn Moultrie had said, explaining the look.

Notably, Simone has not just been a gymnast in leotards. She has often been an attendee at prominent fashion shows. Her fashion outings have been stunning on many occasions. At the beginning of 2024, Simone created quite a buzz with her outfit in an NFL match between the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys.

At the wild-card game, Biles showed up in a black pair of leggings and a cropped black top- a basic fit to accessorize with Packers-themed gear. She added an oversized black leather jacket with Owens’s name and number written in sequins on the back. She finished the look with a diamond “J” necklace and a pair of Packers-colored leather boots.

In 2016, she attended the New York Fashion Week with Aly Raisman. Simone’s all-white ensemble, loaded with crystals, had turned heads on that occasion. The heart cutout at the neckline and the little keyhole cutout at the back was the highlight of the outfit. In the same year, she also captured the limelight at the MTV Video Music Awards.

She walked the red carpet in a coral halter dress that was covered with sparkles. Her fashion choices have become bolder over the years. After the 2021 Met Gala appearance, she also attended the InStyle Awards in a navy-green gown with cutouts. It had a V-shaped neckline, two triangular cutouts at her waist, and a ruched skirt with a slit down the front. However, there is no reason to think that Simone is the only fashionable gymnast out there. At the 2021 Met Gala, one of her teammates also had a dazzling appearance.

Suni Lee shined in high fashion debut at the 2021 Met Gala!

Suni Lee made an impressive entrance into the world of high fashion at her first-ever Met Gala in 2021. The Minnesota native looked stunning in a gold two-piece gown tailored to perfection. It complemented her petite 5’0” frame. Her outfit featured a sleeveless crop, paired with a shiny gold skirt adorned with a slight train. The outfit was by Sukeina.

“It was just incredible and it felt so surreal to be able to say I’m going to the Met gala at 18,” she shared. While the dress was eye-catching, Lee’s makeup was simple and her hair was in a high ponytail. Her look made sense, considering she won a gold at the Tokyo Olympics.

Further, her head was crowned with a dainty mini-gold tiara that added a touch of sophistication. With this dazzling ensemble, Suni Lee and Simone Biles will always go down in history as fashion trendsetters with their on-fleek sense of sartorial style. What do you think?

“From the world’s stage to the GOAT stage, this incredible journey continues, and I can’t wait for fans to see what we have in store this year,” said Biles. “I love creating unforgettable memories for our audiences every night on tour.”

Performers will include Biles, Fred Richard and other stars of the gymnastics world. They include Jade Carey, Jordan Chiles, Katelyn Ohashi, Peng-Peng Lee, Shilese Jones, Melania Johanna De Jesus Dos Santos, Kayla Dicello, Evita Griskenas, Casimir Schmidt and more.

“We’ve put together an all-new show unlike anything that’s been staged before with gymnastics,” said Director and Creator Mark “Swany” Swanhart. “Simone is one of the best collaborative partners I’ve ever worked with.”

The first woman to capture six World Championship titles, Biles is the most-decorated gymnast in history, male or female, with 37 medals overall (23 gold) and is a seven-time Olympic medalist (four gold). She is a three-time Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year and Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year.

A Team USA member, Richard made history as only the fourth and youngest U.S. man to win an all-around medal.

Injuries are an unfortunate reality in the world of sports, often threatening athletes’ careers and dreams. Gymnastics, with its rigorous demands on the body, is no exception. Recently, a Reddit post shed light on the challenges faced by elite gymnasts worldwide amid the Paris Olympics nearing. It showcased a list of athletes grappling with major injuries in the past year.

From a 26-year-old Australian national champion suffering a serious Achilles injury to an artistic gymnast from Europe sidelined by a knee injury during a crucial competition, the list paints a somber picture. Names like Giorgia Villa from Italy and Illia Kovtun from Ukraine are highlighted, alongside Zoe Miller from the USA, who faced an early retirement because of a back injury.

The caption also reads, “Giorgia Villa (ITA) is carrying a significant ongoing injury, as is Illia Kovtun (UKR). You could make an argument to add Zoe Miller (USA) to this list given that her back injury certainly contributed to her early retirement from elite. And we still have no injury update about Laurie Denommée (CAN). There is also Emma Malewski (GER) and Ana Padurariu (CAN) but they’re still trying for Paris. Oh and Lisa Vaelen (BEL) taken out by illness.” However, amidst the gloom, there’s a glimmer of hope emanating from Team USA.

Led by the iconic Simone Biles, the American gymnastics team appears to be navigating through the storm relatively unscathed. While other nations grapple with setbacks and uncertainties, Team USA radiates confidence and resilience. The absence of major injury concerns among American gymnasts sets them apart as frontrunners in the upcoming Olympics. Artistic gymnastics in Great Britain faces a series of challenges, with both triumphs and tribulations in recent years.

Turmoil in british artistic gymnastics

Successes are shadowed by accusations of mistreatment, retirements of key athletes like Ellie Downie and Amelie Morgan, and significant injuries to gymnasts like Jessica Gadirova and Ondine Achampong. Just 24 hours before the European Championship and mere months before the Paris Olympics, head coach David Kenwright resigned, leaving a void in the team’s leadership.

Kenwright’s departure follows the retirement of one team member and another’s serious injury this week. Having led the team to notable achievements, including a world silver in 2021 and a European Championship title in 2023, Kenwright expressed his farewell wishes, added, “I will miss everyone and wish them every success in the coming months and beyond.” His resignation coincides with scrutiny over the injuries to Gadirova and Achampong, sidelining them from Paris 2024.

Kenwright’s exit isn’t the only significant departure. Bronze medalist of Tokyo 2020 and 2018 Youth Olympic Games, Amelie Morgan, announced her retirement from elite gymnastics. Her decision, following her return from a U.S. university to train for Paris 2024, adds to the upheaval in the British gymnastics scene.

Simone Biles is bringing back her Gold Over America Tour this fall, with a twist.

This time, the guys are invited too.

The decision to include the men on the 30-city tour that starts in Southern California on Sept. 17 and ends in Detroit on Nov. 3 was intentional. Biles, who will try to build on her haul of seven Olympic medals this summer in Paris, wanted to broaden the show.

“I think the first time we were very driven on female-forward cast and having the beauty in that and knowing that we can put on a show without the guys and just having the girls being in their feminine power and being beautiful and being the stars,” Biles said ahead of the tour’s announcement on Thursday. “But this time around we’re like ‘OK, that worked but let’s do it a little bit differently, let’s invite the men.’”

That includes Fred Richard, 20, who became the first American man to medal in the all-around at the world championships since 2010 when he earned bronze in Belgium last fall.

Richard, who is eyeing making his first Olympic team, has made it his mission to help make men’s gymnastics relevant in a country where the women have commanded much of the attention — and much of the international success — for decades.

The couple, who met in 2020, are celebrating their first wedding anniversary and decided to share a special moment from their wedding.

Time flies when you marry the love of your life, and this is the case for Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens. The couple recently celebrated one year of nuptials and went down memory lane to mark the occasion.

The couple shared a video in which Owens can be seen holding back tears as Simone walks down the aisle with her father, looking stunning in a long white gown on their wedding day. Eventually, the tears win as Owens pulls out a napkin to control the waterworks. Once Simone gets to the altar and her father gives her over to Owens, she also sheds a few tears during the emotional moment.

The post, shared by TheYBF blog on Instagram, garnered comments from fans who found the moment sweet and, in some ways, redeeming for the NFL player. He has been under fire for saying he didn’t initially know who Biles was when he met her and that he was the prize during a podcast interview earlier this year.

Nonetheless, they seem happy and enjoying life as a married couple. The two athletes sent one another sweet anniversary messages via Instagram.

“This is your sign to marry your best friend,” the most decorated gymnast wrote in an Instagram caption. The image above the caption was one from their white wedding, which took place last year. Happy 1st anniversary 🤵🏽‍♂️🤍🤞🏾👰🏾‍♀️🕊️ I’m excited for many more to come. I wish I could marry you a million times more! I love you so much!”

Her NFL player hubby replied to the love in the comment section, “Crazy how fast time flies when you’re with your best friend. To many more baby!!!! I love you so much 🖤.”

Owens, who plays for the Chicago Bears, also posted an Instagram tribute to his wife on their one-year anniversary.

“Still can’t believe this was a year ago already!!! Hands down the best day of my life 🖤 I love you so much baby, this is to another amazing year 🤞🏽 Can’t wait till we can go back and relive it again 👀😁 #S&J”

The couple publicly announced their relationship in March 2020 and had a dreamy wedding in April 2023 in Cabo, Mexico.

Happy anniversary to these lovebirds!

The 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Antwerp, Belgium, marked a triumphant return for Simone Biles. After a two-year hiatus, all eyes were on Biles as she stepped onto the global stage once again. Her performance was nothing short of legendary, as she secured her 23rd World Championship gold, solidifying her status as the most decorated female gymnast in history. But that’s not all.

Simone Biles claimed her sixth all-around title and even introduced her fifth element to the FIG Code of Points. However, despite her blazing achievements, a moment of shock occurred when she was surpassed in the Vault finals by Brazilian phenom Rebeca Andrade. With the Paris Olympics on the horizon, fans are eagerly anticipating another showdown between Simone Biles and Rebeca Andrade, leaving them in a frenzy of excitement and anticipation.

Simone Biles and Rebeca Andrade’s heartwarming rivalry

On the r/Gymnastics subreddit, a user named ‘freifraufischer’ shared a heartwarming moment captured during the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Antwerp, Belgium. The post featured a photo of Simone Biles congratulating Rebeca Andrade, highlighting Andrade’s eagerness for an Olympic gymnastics showdown with Biles. The moment was Andrade’s victory in the vault event, where she edged out Biles, who faced a fall, to win her second world title in the vault.

The Brazilian earned 14.750 for the gold, while Simone took the silver with a score of 14.549. Andrade, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion on the vault, secured her first World title in the event in 2021, elevating Brazil’s name in the world of gymnastics. She is the first Brazilian female gymnast to medal at an Olympic Games and only the second Brazilian woman to win a gold medal at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships.

An article shared in the post from Yahoo! Sport highlighted Andrade’s preparation for the Paris Olympics. Ahead of her journey to Paris, Andrade expressed her respect for Biles, saying, “It’s about doing my best. And I hope she (Biles) does too, that she does her best, because it’s an honour to be able to compete alongside her.”

In an iconic gesture, before they could be handed their medals, Biles removed her crown and placed it atop Andrade’s head, symbolizing the passing of the torch. With this post, fans were left in a frenzy as the two athletes gear up for Paris.

How the gymternet reacted to this future battle

Countless fans eagerly shared their thoughts below the post, expressing their anticipation for the return of these gymnastic queens, Simone Biles and  Rebeca Andrade, in the Olympic year 2024. One eager fan shared their excitement, saying, “Can’t wait to see them compete 😍 also that red leo is one of my faves the US has had recently!!” Another fan pondered, “You know how the word “frenemies” exists? I want a word for such a friendly rivalry like this, where both people compete against each other and want to win but also clearly have so much love and respect for one another.”

At the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, the Team USA women earned their hard-earned seventh consecutive team gold medal. Among the squad of five, two names shone brightest in the team finals: Simone Biles and Leanne Wong. While Simone, the most senior member, anchored the team’s win, Leanne stepped up as a team player when Joscelyn Roberson suffered an ankle injury before the competition, filling in for her in the vault and floor routines.

This year, these two dynamos once again share a similar goal: the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, despite sharing the same dream, their age gap underscores just how much gymnastics has evolved over the years. While Simone Biles faced restrictions because of Texas law in her educational journey, Leanne Wong’s story showcases her seamless balance between her NCAA and Paris Olympics dreams.

Leanne Wong balancing a collegiate career and Paris Olympics dream’

According to Olympics.com, in the Olympic year 2024, 20-year-old Leanne Wong is juggling college gymnastics, elite gymnastics, and her studies to become a doctor. She is also the Boss of Bows at Leanne Wong Bowtique. In her first three seasons with Florida, the squad finished as runners-up twice in 2022 and 2023, and most recently secured a fourth-place finish. Leanne made history by becoming the 15th NCAA gymnast to achieve a GYM SLAM, winning an NCAA National Championship on bars, and earning recognition as a finalist for the Honda Award after an exhilarating 2024 NCAA season.

Leanne has also been an integral part of the U.S. squad at the last two World Championships, contributing to Team USA’s historic sixth and seventh consecutive wins in 2022 and 2023, respectively. She shared how she has excelled in both elite and college gymnastics: “I think choosing Florida had a lot to do with keeping that option open and I just feel like I pushed for my coaches to allow me to balance [different] goals.” Leanne designs her collegiate routines to lay the groundwork for her elite routines, making the transition between the two levels smoother.

She has chosen to remain on campus to continue her studies while preparing for the Olympics. By staying on campus, Leanne can attend in-person classes while also training for elite gymnastics. She has even said, “I’ve been incredibly thankful for my coaches here at the University of Florida who have been very supportive of me balancing both college and elite gymnastics and allowing me to be a Gator while pursuing my Paris Olympic dreams.” This supportive environment provided by the University of Florida shows how Leanne is thriving in both elite and college gymnastics, a path that veteran gymnastics legend Simone Biles did not have.

How is Simone Biles’ journey the antithesis of Wong’s?

On the ‘Call Her Daddy’ podcast, Simone Biles shared her frustrations as a young girl balancing her education with her gymnastics career. Recalling her high school years, she expressed how she was home-schooled while most of her gymnastics friends balanced high school and gymnastics. Simone explained how Texas law limited her options, stating, “But Texas law states you can only miss X amount before they fail you, even if you do your schoolwork. So that just wasn’t an option for us.”

Faced with these challenges, Simone fully committed to gymnastics at the tender age of 14, leaving public school to be homeschooled and dedicating over 30 hours a week to her training. But that’s not all. Like many athletes, Simone Biles hoped to pursue a collegiate career. In August 2014, she even verbally committed to UCLA and signed a National Letter of Intent.

However, as her career soared, she was faced with a difficult decision: “Go to college or go pro.” Simone announced that she would turn professional, forfeiting her NCAA eligibility to compete for UCLA. Although she chose to delay attending college until after the 2016 Rio Olympics, Biles eventually opted for an online college experience, enrolling with the University of the People (UoPeople).

This decision allowed her to balance her education and an elite gymnastics career. Sacrificing her collegiate gymnastics career, Simone’s dedication led to a record-breaking total of 37 Olympic and World Championship medals, making her the most decorated gymnast in history. Reflecting on the stark differences between veteran Simone Biles and prodigy Leanne Wong, it’s evident how times have changed. Gymnasts like Leanne, Jade Carey, and others are paving the way for combining elite and college gymnastics. What are your thoughts about their journeys? Comment below!