Gabby Douglas and Simone Biles‘ rivalry has stood the test of time, literally and figuratively. They were also incidentally a part of the same doyen of the Final Five in the 2016 Rio Olympics, and were kindred spirits on the mats and off it as well. But what stoked the flame of their rivalry harkens back to when Douglas let slip a comment about s*exual assault faced by gymnastics buddy Aly Raisman that provoked the ire of compatriot Simone Biles.

Though Gabby Douglas and Simone Biles have buried the hatchet and have made amends with each other post that incident and with Paris being the singular goal for them, they are also two peas in a pod. Underscored by mental health struggles and whatnot, what did the Team USA duo go through?

 Simone Biles and Gabby Douglas – a tumultuous journey of odds

Gabby Douglas made history as the first Black American gymnast to win Olympic all-around gold, the first from Team USA to secure gold in both individual and team events, winning three Olympic golds overall. She was also the 2012 Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year. She announced her comeback to gymnastics last July. Now aiming for the 2024 Olympics; a year later, interest in her return is still high, having been away for eight years from professional competition.

Douglas shared with EBONY over Zoom. The journey of these eight years wasn’t that easy—she took a break so that she could focus on her mental health. Douglas said, “I took a break from 2016 until 2022 and after watching a good friend competing, I just missed it, I had a rough go at the 2016 Olympics, but I never wanted to end my career on a bad note.” She expressed that she never wanted to develop a dislike for something she loved, so she knew she wanted to get back at it. Douglas mentioned she was back, taking small steps but expressed excitement about getting back into it, with the mats beckoning her name.

Simone Biles competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics but withdrew during the vault event due to the “twisties”. She made sacrifices, and that paid off, as she earned four medals at the event, with four of them being gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics. She’s expected to compete in the Paris Olympics for Team USA. Gabby Douglas, the first US gymnast to win all-around and team titles at the 2012 London Olympics, and a three-time Olympic champion, is making a comeback after eight years, aiming for the Paris Olympics. There is so much more in the offing for these two. Is it just Paris or does it go beyond yonder?

The formidable duo have more to them than meets the eye

After a two-year hiatus, Biles returned in August 2023, proving her readiness for the 2024 Olympics with her sixth individual world title in Belgium and her eighth national all-around individual title. She also amazed the world with her Yurchenko double pike vault, now known as Biles II. During a 2023 appearance on the TODAY show, the seven-time Olympic medalist mentioned, “That’s the path that I would love to go.” Biles mentioned in an interview with CNBC that she had been focusing on personal development, continuing weekly therapy sessions, and felt thrilled to regain the confidence she had before.

Meanwhile, Douglas, the 2015 World all-around silver medalist, missed last month’s Winter Cup due to COVID-19 but is now concentrating on the upcoming international games, as per a representative speaking to Inside Gymnastics. Douglas has also prioritized her physical well-being through cryotherapy, acupuncture, and icing, which have been crucial for her health this season. She also partnered with Dr. Scholl’s as their latest celebrity ambassador. Fans are eagerly anticipating the comebacks of both Biles and Douglas at the Paris Olympics in 2024, eager to see them prove once again that they are among the best in the world.

The weight of expectations at the Olympics is staggering, especially for renowned athletes like Simone Biles. Yet, the 2021 Tokyo Olympics described a pivotal moment for Biles, thrusting her into a sphere of challenges previously uncharted. Despite clinching the bronze in the balance beam event, she now confesses, that it felt akin to “gold” amidst the tumultuous circumstances she was going through at that time.

Throughout that week, Biles grappled with unforeseen hurdles, notably struggling with her routine due to an inability to execute twists. Yet, the aftermath saw her withdrawal from the event, due to “twisties.” Biles recently disclosed in a podcast by “Call Her Daddy” that the specter of her past Olympics haunted her, leaving her feeling “ashamed” after she secured a bronze medal in the Tokyo Olympics.

Simone Biles’ shocking revelations post-Rio Olympics slip

Biles clinched four golds and one bronze during her breakthrough performance at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Amidst her stellar achievements, disappointment loomed over her beam routine, where the then-19-year-old encountered a memorable slip, resorting to grabbing the beam with her hands to maintain balance (a move that incurred a significant point deduction). Despite the stumble, Biles completed the routine and secured a bronze. While she found contentment in her accomplishment but still she faced a moment of public scrutiny.

In an interview with host Alex Cooper, Simone Biles candidly addressed the aftermath of her beam performance at the Rio Olympics. Reflecting on the moment, she recounted the public reaction to her bronze medal, revealing the weight of disappointment she endured. Despite acknowledging her mistake during the routine, Biles faced harsh criticism, with some suggesting, “throw that metal away. You should have got a gold“

She further added, “I was scarred from having a bronze medal because I never really talked about my bronze because people made me so ashamed of it in Rio.” she continued,” And so whenever I got that bronze, you couldn’t tell me that it was a bronze. It felt like a gold to me.” Despite the haunting memory, she persevered until finally withdrawing from the Tokyo Olympics. However, she made a comeback in 2023 but did she claim the spotlight?

Simone Biles soars- Nominated for Laureus 2024 Awards!

Now that it’s the Paris Olympics year 2024, Simone has even been nominated for the Laureus 2024 Awards, which is the highest honor in sports. This recognition comes as no surprise, given the awe-inspiring journey of her comeback. Following a two-year hiatus, Biles returned to the spotlight with resounding triumphs.

In September 2023, she clinched gold medals in both the floor exercise and balance beam events, further solidifying her legacy with an astounding total of 23 world titles.  Her exceptional performance in the high-stakes beam final, characterized by flawless execution and precision, culminated in a remarkable score, showing her unmatched skill on the global stage.

Growing up Simone Biles had no idea that her nervousness about starting gymnastics practice as the eldest in the room would never stop her from making history. Newbie to the athletic limelight, Biles starred in a few reality shows but never ventured into the territory that many girls her age took interest in—boys.

She is now happily married to NFL safety Jonathan Owens after three years of dating and two weddings last year. In a recent podcast, spilling some beans about her personal life, Biles recalled her first interaction with a boy as a terrible moment in her life.

Simone Biles’s embarrassing tale

Biles has dedicated over two decades to gymnastics and is the most decorated gymnast in the world, but she has had a difficult time working closely with a man outside of the sport. Simone Biles revealed a few undisclosed details about her early childhood during her most recent appearance on Alex Cooper’s podcast “Call Her Daddy“.

When Cooper inquired about typical teen experiences or prom, Biles responded, “The first time I danced with a boy was on Dancing With the Stars was Sasha and it was after the Olympics. I was like 19 years old. I remember he like got in my face, grabbed me and I was like, ah. Like freaking out.”

The Olympic medalist appeared on Dancing With the Stars season 24 in 2017, partnering with professional dancer Sasha Farber for nine weeks. They performed a variety of traditional dance genres, including Foxtrot, Tango, and Rumba, as well as freestyle and contemporary before ending their journey in top-4.]

Back then, Biles summed up her experience saying, “I’ve never danced in heels, never danced with a guy, so I feel like I’ve won a lot. I’ve won a friendship for life [with Farber]. I’ve been non-stop since the Olympics. I’ll have a week off.” Simone Biles and Sasha reunited ahead of the Tokyo Olympics where they worked to choreograph her floor routine.

Biles began to take more control over her routines and artistic choices than she had earlier in her gymnastics career at the time. Though he’s unquestionably the expert, she shared her thoughts on certain actions and even pushed back in some instances saying she knows herself “better than anybody.” Not too much time went by before the gymnastics star had her romantic encounters.

How gymnastics master manifested her romantic journey

During Dancing With the Stars, Simone told Entertainment Tonight—“I have never had a boyfriend in my life…at 20 years old I feel like you should have gone through those things and gone on dates. I have been on like, maybe one proper date.” Things have changed since then, and Simone Biles has had two publicly talked-about relationships.

Simone met fellow gymnast and her first boyfriend Stacey Ervin Jr. in August 2014, but they didn’t start dating until after her Dancing With the Stars appearance. The couple dated for over three years before splitting in March 2020. However, it wasn’t long before Simone found her soulmate. Biles met then-Houston Texans player Jonathan Owens and married him on April 22 last year, following three years of dating. Her story is rocky at times, but it just highlights her true nature.

As the countdown to Paris draws closer, the limelight on Simone Biles’ previous outing is shining brighter. It is no secret that Biles pulled out of five events from the Tokyo Olympics. Amidst the scathing criticisms, Biles explained how difficult it was for her to fathom the situation. According to the US gymnast, one cannot particularly make out whether one has twisties or not. It is right at the moment when an athlete is in the air, the confusion regarding the positioning of land and air sets in.

Biles then went on to say that she went through such a phase in literally all the events. Surely, such a mental obstacle can definitely lead to severe injuries. And Biles almost faked breaking her ankle while trying to push through her pains.

Simone Biles reminisces about faking near fatal Tokyo experience

Biles recently appeared on the ‘CallHerDaddy’ podcast where she was asked about her experience with twisties. Narrating a near-fatal incident, Biles recalled when she decided to ignore her mental issues. Speaking about the same, Biles stated that just before the start of an event, she realized having a problem. However, for the sake of her team, Biles went ahead and attempted a two-and-a-half. This was a dangerous attempt because Biles did not warm up four days prior to the event.

While trying to push through her issues, Biles did take the leap of faith and it backfired. Once in the air, Biles lost all her reasoning of space and matter. This was something that she failed to make her coaches fathom. Thus, in order to safeguard her career, Biles faked an injury scare. She said, “And at that point at I came out about it, they’re like, she doesn’t wanna lose. And I was like, first of all, I almost broke my leg, but it’s thankfully I didn’t break my leg.” Thankfully, Biles came out safe, but she was frustrated with the fact that her coaches could not understand her situation.

Immediately after her event, Biles had a conversation with her manager and decided to pull out of the event. However, with great grit and determination, Biles fought her way back to the pinnacle of the gymnastics mountain.

Biles’ recovery and Paris dreams unfurled

Post her Olympic fiasco, Biles resorted to Junetendo University in Japan for help. An elaborate personalized training regime helped her significantly. Under the watchful eyes of coach Wataru Kawai, Biles slowly recovered and got her mental health back to normal. A major part of her rehabilitation included keeping away from the media and critics.

As of 2024, Simone Biles is all set to kick things off next month. Starting with the US Classics, Biles will be looking to put on a blemish-free performance on her road to Paris. And while she does so, her fans would be praying for Biles to add some more Olympic golds to her already bejeweled crown.

Simone Biles is marking one year of marriage to her husband Jonathan Owens by sharing a hot tip with her fans.

“This is your sign to marry your best friend,” the Olympian, 28, wrote in an April 21 Instagram post celebrating her and the NFL star’s first wedding anniversary.

She then included a special message for Owens, also 28: “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!”

The post featured a series of photos of the couple, including a shot of them walking hand-in-hand on a rooftop while holding glasses of champagne following their April 2023 courthouse nuptials. In the image, Biles wore a white halter-style dress with layers of tulle ruffles, while Owens looked dapper in a slim-fitting tan suit and white loafers.

Owens — who in March signed a two-year free-agent contract with the Chicago Bears — posted an anniversary message of his own on his Instagram Stories. It featured a photo of himself and Biles embracing inside an elevator with the message, “One year down.”

“Man does time fly, I love you so much baby ❤️❤️,” he added.

The couple will get to celebrate their first anniversary all over again in May, as they had not one but two weddings last year. Weeks after their intimate courthouse ceremony in Houston, Texas, the newlyweds jetted off to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, to say “I do” for a second time at a much bigger destination wedding, attended by 140 guests.

Biles went all in on her bridal fashion moment, wearing four different dresses — including a custom Galia Lahav gown for the ceremony. “Kinda dramatic. But you only have a wedding once,” she joked in an Instagram Stories Q&A ahead of her Mexico nuptials.

As they step into their second year of marriage, Biles and Owens are anticipating a fresh chapter in their new home base of Chicago. Earlier this month, the pair visited the city ahead of the 2024 NFL season, according to Chicagobears.com.

The return of Simone Biles to her journey toward her fourth Olympics in 2024 marks a significant moment. This comeback follows the Twisties trauma she experienced during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, a challenge that continued to affect her even years after the incident. Simone Biles has been candid about the impact of the fear of twisting on her mental well-being, leading her to take a break to prioritize her mental health.

Ahead of her return in 2023, Simone Biles opened up about the mental aspect of gymnastics and her comeback, revealing, “Lots of therapy, I go once a week for almost 2 hrs.” However, in the latest revelation ahead of her 2024 return, she opened up about her struggles with therapy, admitting to dodging sessions and even ghosting her therapist as she sought to heal from her Twisties trauma.

Simone Biles reveals ghosting her therapist

On the ‘Call Her Daddy’ podcast, Simone Biles opened up about her journey with therapy and how she did not think it would work but “it’s working”. When asked about personal goals unrelated to gymnastics by Alex Cooper, Simone shared the importance of prioritizing her mental health. She admitted, “I would say to keep up with my therapy even on those hard days because I have dodged a couple of those.” With a laugh, she shared how she sometimes avoids her therapy sessions, even pretending to be unavailable, despite them being scheduled on her days off, even though her therapist is aware of it.

Discussing the experience of ghosting her therapist, Simone shared,  “I feel so guilty and so ashamed.” However, she explained that her reasons for doing so stem from feeling like she should be healed by now. She expressed, “I just feel like a record on repeat. And again, it goes back to, like, I feel like I should be healed by now. Now you’re shoving this down my throat.” So how has therapy helped her?

How has therapy helped her?

Simone Biles is celebrating her first wedding anniversary with her husband, Jonathan Owens.

On Monday, the Olympic gymnast shared a sweet post on Instagram with photos of her and Owens.

“this is your sign to marry your best friend,” she wrote in the caption. “happy 1st anniversary 👨🏾‍💼🤍🤞🏾👰🏾‍♀️🕊️”

“I’m excited for many more to come,” she continued. “I wish I could marry you a million times more! I love you so much!”

After a return to gymnastics competition that included winning historic U.S. and world all-around titles in 2023, American gymnastics superstar Simone Biles has won the Laureus World Comeback of the Year, the organisation announced Monday (22 April) at a ceremony in Madrid.

The award is Biles’ fourth Laureus World Sport Award after previously winning Sportswoman of the Year three times (2017, 2019, 2020).

“I am so honoured. It is unbelievable every time I’m nominated for an award, so I can’t thank you guys enough for recognizing the work that I do,” Biles said in a pre-recorded acceptance video. It’s been a dream come true since I was a little girl to be receiving awards like this one day, so thank you for making my dreams come true. I also want to say congratulations to all the other nominees.”

At the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Biles made global headlines after withdrawing from several finals to priortise her mental health as she dealt with what gymnastics call ‘the twisties,’ where the body and mind fall out of sync. She returned to competition, claiming the balance beam bronze medal, but also having started a worldwide conversation about mental health.

“It’s not new that this is a very difficult position to be in, to be an athlete competing in front of millions of people with all of the expectation, it’s not new. It’s always been very difficult for athletes. But it has been very refreshing to see that now fans can accept that this is very difficult, and some times of athlete and needs to take time off,” said Johnson. “I thought Simone Biles back in 2021 during the Olympics was just an amazing moment for sport, but also for people outside [of sport]. You saw people outside of sport, as well, start to realise that this is important. Mental health is important, and so having that conversation, I think, has been fantastic, and another example of where sport can be in areas of society that are really important for people.”

After her second Olympic appearance, Biles stepped away from the sport, unsure of her future.

“I didn’t know if I was ever going to be able to compete again because there were multiple times this year where I was in the gym and I was like, ‘I’m actually terrified of this full-in, like I’m not doing it again, never going to do it,'” Biles told Olympics.com in an exclusive interview last year.

“And then I was like, ‘You know what? I’m just going to come back another day, another day.’”

Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens celebrated their first wedding anniversary in a style befitting their love story, filled with heartfelt moments and public displays of affection. Ever since their fairytale-esque ceremony last year, the couple has been open about their relationship, offering glimpses into their everyday lives on social media.

In a recent Instagram story, Biles marked the milestone by sharing warm wishes for Owens on their special day. Leading up to the anniversary, she treated fans to snapshots from their romantic date night, setting the stage for a memorable celebration.