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Simone Biles docuseries ‘Rising’ to begin streaming July 17, ahead of Paris Olympics

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Simone Biles

Fans won’t have to wait until the Paris Olympics to see Simone Biles.

Netflix released the trailer Wednesday for “Simone Biles: Rising” and said the four-part docuseries will begin streaming July 17,

nine days before the Opening Ceremony. “Rising” follows Biles’ return to competition after a case of “the twisties” forced her out of most of the Tokyo Games.

“I get to write my own ending,” Biles says in the 2-minute trailer.

Biles was expected to win multiple gold medals in Tokyo, including a second consecutive all-around title that would cement her GOAT status. But mental health issues that worsened because of the isolating COVID restrictions in Tokyo resulted in “the twisties,” causing her to lose her sense of where she was in the air.

“I’ve always had really good intuition about things,” she said in the “Rising” trailer, “and unfortunately I felt that way about the Olympics.”

Unwilling to risk her physical safety, Biles withdrew during the team final. She missed four individual event finals before returning for the balance beam final, where she won a bronze medal with a reworked routine that didn’t require her to do any twisting.

Biles left Tokyo unsure if she’d compete again. She was scarred by the vitriol and nastiness people directed at her and, worse, she didn’t trust her own gymnastics. Though she initially went back to the gym to stay in shape, she realized she didn’t want her illustrious career to end with Tokyo.

“I wanted to quit like 500,000 times. And I would have if it weren’t for my people,” Biles said in the trailer for the docuseries, which includes interviews with her husband, Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens, family, coaches and friends.

Rio teammate Aly Raisman, who remains close with Biles, is also featured in the docuseries.

“I know that she’s expected to win all the gold medals, but even the fact she’s trying to come back is really amazing,” Raisman said.

Since returning to competition last year, Biles has been dominant. She won her sixth all-around title at the world championships, and her five medals overall gave her 37 at worlds and the Olympics, making her the most-decorated gymnast ever, male or female.

She swept all six events at the U.S. championships earlier this month, including winning her ninth all-around title.

“I knew it would be a long journey,” Biles says in Rising. “But to me, I knew it wasn’t done.”

“Rising” is the first of three docuseries from Netflix and the International Olympic Committee. “Sprint,” which follows world champions Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson, also air ahead of the Paris Olympics. A still-to-be-named documentary on Olympic basketball, from the same team that made “Last Dance” about Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls’ last title, will premiere early next year.

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Simone Biles Cries as She Talks Withdrawing from Tokyo Olympics in First Trailer for Her Netflix Series

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Simone Biles Rising’ premieres on Netflix July 17, just over a week before the 2024 Summer Olympics kick off in Paris

Simone Biles is documenting her journey back to Olympic competition.

On Wednesday, June 19, Biles, 27, and Netflix released the first trailer for the streamer’s new four-part docuseries Simone Biles Rising, which covers the celebrated gymnast’s decision to withdraw from competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, her mental health journey since that tournament and her decision to return to competition ahead of this summer’s Olympic games in Paris.

The trailer includes behind-the-scenes footage of Biles as she realizes she needs to drop out of competition in Tokyo, her return to the mat in 2023 and now, as she readies for the U.S. Olympic Trials. Along the way, the series also features moments with her husband, NFL safety Jonathan Owens, as well as her former Team USA teammate Aly Raisman and her mother Nellie Biles.

An official synopsis for the series recalls that Biles “was one of the biggest stories leading into” the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo before the gymnast was struck with the “twisties.”

“Since then, Simone has put in the hard work: facing the difficult traumas of her past, learning to manage her mental health, embracing her journey, and in the process, rebuilding her gymnastics from the ground up,” the synopsis reads. “Her courage to soar knows no bounds as this summer she plans to return to the Olympic stage once again to do what she’s always done — be the best Simone that she can be. Because through it all, Simone still rises.”

“We are all the authors of our own journeys, and I am in a place in my life where I’m comfortable with who I am and what I’ve been through as an athlete, but most of all, as a person,” Biles said in a statement shared by Netflix. “Gymnastics is what I do but it’s not who I am, and I’m excited for people to see another side of me outside of competition.”

“I know there are young girls out there who look to me for inspiration and are faced with similar challenges, and my hope is that this documentary helps to empower them to be true to who they are and never give up on their dreams,” she added in a statement.

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Simone Biles’ greatest move had nothing to do with winning her ninth US title | Opinion

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FORT WORTH, Texas — The best thing Simone Biles did on her way to her ninth U.S. title won’t show up in the scoresheet.

Biles hasn’t lost an all-around gymnastics meet in more than a decade, and that streak was never in jeopardy at U.S. nationals. She had a commanding lead after the first night, and after breezing through her routine on a balance beam that tripped up many other competitors, it was clear it was going to be more of the same Sunday night.

But at 27, Biles has a perspective she wouldn’t have — couldn’t have — had as a younger gymnast. So when she noticed Suni Lee, whose career was nearly derailed last year by a kidney ailment, have a scary turn on vault, Biles did something not often seen in the sport.

Biles went to find Lee, who had gone backstage to try and compose herself, and ask if she was OK. She asked if Lee had gotten lost in the air, as Biles had at the Tokyo Olympics. When Lee said no, Biles told her to take a deep breath and trust in her gymnastics. Everything, Biles said, was going to be all right.

“She just helped boost me up and get my confidence back up because, at that point, I was kind of like thinking that this was over,” Lee said. “It was really nice having her in my corner. It just felt so good because I knew I was having a hard time, and she was just there.”

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Simone Biles ‘Twisties’ Withdrawal Met With Full Support By Paris Olympics Qualified Gymnast Rhys McClenaghan

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As collective fans of gymnastics can attest, we are all familiar with Simone Biles’ torrid time at the Tokyo Olympics because of the ‘twisties,’ a peculiar phenomenon in gymnastics where athletes suddenly lose their sense of spatial orientation mid-air during a routine. The same thing happened to Biles when she went for her vault in 2021, planning a 2½ twist but only managing 1½ before losing her bearings. She described it as scary, saying, ‘I had no idea where I was in the air. I could have hurt myself.’ This ‘twisties’ trouble led her to withdraw from the team final.

But initially, Biles was really scared about how people would react, “the world is going to hate me. That was my first thought … I thought I was going to be banned from America” for not winning gold. But instead, she got tons of support from fellow gymnasts and athletes from different sports. Michael Phelps, Michael McCahey, and Aly Raisman, as well as figures from outside the sport, such as Hoda Kotb, supported her. Even athletes from different countries rallied behind her, including an Irish athlete who is set to represent Ireland in the upcoming Paris Olympics, supported her.

Rising above mental challenges with power – Irish champ comes in clutch

Rhys McClenaghan, a 24-year-old gymnast who secured automatic qualification by retaining the pommel horse title at the World Gymnastics Championships in Antwerp in October 2023, supported Biles at that time when she faced twisties. McClenaghan first made his Olympic debut in 2021, finishing seventh in the pommel horse event in Tokyo. However, during the Tokyo Olympics, when he learned of Simone Biles’ exit, he spoke up in support of her. “Mental blocks ain’t no joke, I’ve experienced this firsthand throughout my career and they are still the most challenging times I’ve faced,” he tweeted on X. He further added, “Only people who have experienced this can fully understand the stress that comes with it.”

Since then, three years have passed, and McClenaghan himself has been diligently working on his mental approach. Last year, he faced a significant challenge when he suffered a panic attack for the first time just weeks before his gold medal triumph at the World Gymnastics Championships in 2023. However, he acknowledges the importance of his collaboration with his coach, Luke Carson, and sports psychologist Jessie Barr, especially after a difficult time at the Paris World Cup last year.

Reflecting on his experience, McClenaghan shared, “My body was completely healthy, I was physically ready, but my mind wasn’t quite happy, if I’m honest. Even in the warm-up before my routine in Paris, I was more nervous than I had ever been before – and, quite honestly, had a bit of a panic attack before I competed. It was a very strange feeling – a feeling that I had never experienced before.” Despite this challenge, McClenaghan persevered, conquered it, and is now vying for Paris, much like Biles is envisaging after the Tokyo 2020 farrago.

Simone Biles rises akin to a phoenix from the ashes

Simone Biles dazzled the world with her comeback at the 2023 World Championships in Belgium, snagging an impressive four gold medals and reaffirming her unmatched talent in gymnastics. Starting off this season with a bang, she cruised to victory at the Core Hydration Classics, leaving no doubt about her readiness for the upcoming Olympics. With Paris on the horizon, Biles is pouring her heart and soul into training, determined to leave the ghosts of Tokyo behind.

She shared her newfound focus on self-care and balancing life’s priorities. As she continues to dominate events like the U.S Classics and Xfinity Championship this year. As she recently puts it after winning the Xfinity Championship, “Just making sure I’m healthy mentally and physically, and I think at this point, mentally is just as important as I physically feel. So just making sure I go to my therapy sessions weekly.” The world eagerly awaits her moment of glory, anticipating another unforgettable performance from the incomparable Simone Biles.

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Paris Olympics: after Simone Biles’ Tokyo struggles, AI helps raise bar for mental health

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Three years after gymnastics superstar Simone Biles put the mental health of athletes centre stage at the Tokyo Olympics, this year’s Paris Games will demonstrate how greater awareness has translated into better care and support.

Biles famously pulled out of most of her events in Tokyo mid-Games after struggling with mental health problems and the “twisties” – a disorienting feeling while in mid-air that is known to affect some gymnasts.

In the run-up to the start of Paris 2024 on July 26, local organisers, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and international sports federations have been keen to stress that lessons have been learned.

“Seventy per cent of Olympians only get one Olympic experience. We want to try to make sure this is the best experience they could possibly have,” said Kirsty Burrows, head of safe sport at the IOC.

For the first time ever at an Olympics, competitors in Paris will have access to a “mindfulness and relaxation area” above the main gym in the village, called the Athlete365 Mind Zone.

Competitors will be offered virtual reality headsets for meditation, sleep pods and even art activities, all in a low-lighting environment designed to be soothing and quiet.

“It’ll be very Zen, like a futuristic spa,” Burrows added.

Also in the village, athletes will have an alcohol-free bar and social areas to help them kick back, as well as guides on how to maintain good mental hygiene by avoiding too much time on screens

“In the same way that no athlete would think of stuffing themselves with burgers and confectionery before a competition, it’s not good to stuff yourself with videos on social networks by binge-watching TikTok or Instagram,” Paris 2024 health coordinator Laurent Dalard told reporters in March.

A mental health helpline in 70 languages will also be available to all Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

Around 90 national sporting teams will bring their own mental health welfare officers, using a new type of Games accreditation which has only been available since the Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022, Burrows said.

Research suggests that elite sports people suffer from mental health disorders in around the same proportions as the general population, experts say.

But Dalard stressed that they were “more vulnerable to situations such as anxiety disorders or depression, given their complicated lives and the intense pressure they face”.

According to Marion Leboyer, a psychiatrist and founder of FondaMental, a French research foundation, “around one athlete in three experiences symptoms of a mental health problem”.

Long a taboo subject, many of them are now opening up about their struggles thanks to the revelations of stars such as Biles, Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka or Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe.

That has trickled down into lesser-known sports.

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Simone Biles receives surprised gift from husband Jonathan Owens with special tribute

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Simone Biles is a costumed to performing at a high level and if she has motivation, that will definitely contribute to her momentum heading into every competition, especially with the Olympics in Paris coming up soon.

She has been training hard under a strict guidance of her coach Cecile Landi. Intense hours of practice and going through many sessions and possible scenarios on which the believes she can come out with a gold medal.

However, when she has to change up the routine and if she does not do it on her own, sometimes she needs someone else to help her relax. To bolster her confidence further but also to help her change her schedule, her husband Jonathan Owens and her best friends gave her a pleasant surprise

Nobody was expecting this and she felt it

In a recent Instagram story uploaded by Simone Biles, Jonathan Owens along with her friends, were spotted wearing a custom t-shirt that had Simone’s picture and the words ‘SIMONE’ written on it to show support for her during the Core Hydration Classics.

As usual, she clinched a top spot but the fact that her husband and friends traveled to Texas in support of her and that is something she will remember forever, specially with an Olympic trip to Europe on the corner.

Simone Biles is well known for showing her support publicly for Jonathan Owens. Back in 2023, when Owens was with the Green Bay Packers, Biles turned up in person throughout the season to cheer for the Packers and now it was time to return the favor as a couple that will always show their support.

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US gymnastics championships: Simone Biles wins record ninth national all-around title

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FORT WORTH, Texas – By the time Simone Biles rolled backwards onto the mat on her vault Sunday night, the error didn’t even matter. Her lead at the 2024 U.S. championships was so massive, and her eponymous vault so difficult, that her victory was already all but assured.

Biles won her record ninth all-around national title Sunday night, cruising to victory once again at Dickies Arena en route to what will surely be a third trip to the Olympic Games. Over two nights of competition, she recorded the highest score on all four events. And her all-around margin of victory – 5.9 points – was the gymnastics equivalent of a rout.

Biles, 27, will now look ahead to the U.S. Olympic trials at the end of this month – the moment when she will learn who her four teammates on Team USA will be.

“I couldn’t be more proud of how I’m doing at this time in the year,” Biles said on NBC after her win. “Just gaining that confidence over and over, getting myself back in front of a crowd and just doing what I do in practice.”

Skye Blakely, who finished second, was among several women who boosted their candidacies for Paris – displaying the combination of consistency and ability that the selection committee will be seeking as it assembles the 2024 Olympic team.

Suni Lee, the reigning all-around Olympic champion, also had a strong showing – particularly on her two best events, uneven bars and balance beam. On Sunday, she improved her scores on those two apparatuses alone by nearly a full point from Friday’s opening round. She finished fourth.

Kayla DiCello (third) and Jordan Chiles (fifth) rounded out the top five.

Skye Blakely shines at home

Blakely, 19, was perhaps the most impressive gymnast in the senior women’s competition Friday night outside of Biles. And she finished just a quarter of a point off that all-around score on Sunday.

Blakely received a thundering ovation when she stepped onto the podium alongside Biles at the end of the night, celebrating one of the biggest moments of her senior career to date in front of what amounts to a hometown crowd; Blakely resides in Frisco, Texas, just a short drive east of Dickies Arena in Fort Worth.

Suni Lee comes up big on key events

Lee had a disappointing vault to start her Sunday night, sitting down on the landing after appearing to either trip or slip in the run up. But she didn’t let it affect her − and thrived on her two most important events.

Though Lee is the reigning all-around Olympic champion, it’s her scores on balance beam and uneven bars that would be most valuable to Team USA in Paris. So it was a positive sign that Lee fared well on both events on both nights, finishing second only to Biles on beam and placing fourth on bars − even with a routine that is well short of her top-end difficulty.

Recapping Jordan Chiles’ night and wardrobe

After rocking a Beyonce-inspired leotard on Friday night, Chiles arrived on the floor Sunday wearing a white Nike trenchcoat.

A veteran of the 2021 Olympic team and close friend and training partner of Biles’, Chiles improved slightly on the second night of competition, earning a silver medal on uneven bars and placing in the top-five on vault. She’s hardly a lock to make the Paris team at this point, but she’s put herself squarely in the mix.

Shilese Jones, Kaliya Lincoln will compete at Olympic trials

FORT WORTH, Texas − Moments after competition ended Sunday night, USA Gymnastics announced that it has approved the petitions by Shilese Jones and Kaliya Lincoln to compete at the U.S. Olympic trials later this month.

Jones, who has generally been the second-best U.S. all-arounder behind Simone Biles, withdrew from the U.S. championships with a shoulder injury. Kaliya Lincoln participated in the first two rotations Friday night before bowing out.

They are expected to join Biles, runner-up Skye Blakely and at least eight others at trials, which will take place in Minneapolis starting June 27. − Tom Schad

Simone Biles wins every event, caps night with solid uneven bars routine

FORT WORTH, Texas − Winning a ninth U.S. title wasn’t enough for Simone Biles. She won every event, too.

Biles capped her night with a solid routine on uneven bars, her “weakest” event. She flitted effortlessly between the bars and worked quickly going from one skill to the next. She was a little off-center on her upgraded dismount, a double-twisting, double somersault, and needed to take a step to secure herself. But that’s a minor blemish.

She scored a 14.4 and her combined total of 29.050 over the two nights put her in first place on the event ahead of Skye Blakely.

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Simone Biles shows deep connection with Jonathan Owens through heartfelt message

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Simone Biles

Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens are setting new standards for couple goals with their unwavering support and affection for each other. For Biles, having Owens nearby is a constant source of happiness, as their connection deepened even further when he moved to Chicago to join the Bears, following his tenure with the Green Bay Packers.

The heartfelt message

Biles was overjoyed by the move, as it meant more opportunities to spend time together. In a recent Instagram story, Biles shared a sweet video of her holding Jonathan’s hand as they strolled down the street. Accompanying the video was a heartfelt message that resonated with many.

“I’ll always be a husband’s girl…” she wrote, expressing how he is not just her partner but her unwavering support system.

She highlighted his constant presence and support in her life, making it clear that their bond is incredibly strong.

“When I’m sad, I want my husband,” reads the caption.

“If I’m anxious, he’s my calm. Stressed out – I need him next to me. If I’m sick, he’s the one taking care of me.

“Proud moment to celebrate- he’s my #1 cheerleader.”

Preparing for the Olympics

Biles continues her journey toward a third Olympic Games. The seven-time Olympic medalist recently won the all-around title at the Core Hydration Classic.

Biles secured a record-extending ninth all-around national title at the US Gymnastics Championships on Sunday, showcasing her readiness for the upcoming Paris Olympics.

She finished with a combined score of 119.750, with Skye Blakely in second place and Kayla DiCello in third. Suni Lee and Jordan Chiles finished fourth and fifth, respectively.

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“My King”: Simone Biles Gets Her Flowers From Once Aspiring Gymnast Turned Pop Sensation SZA

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known as SZA, has come full circle on her journey from aspiring gymnast to acclaimed R&B artist. SZA’s acknowledgment of Simone Biles goes beyond admiration for her achievements; it’s also rooted in their shared love for gymnastics. SZA’s history in gymnastics, spanning over a decade, adds depth to her heartfelt applause for Biles.

Despite transitioning to a music career, SZA has been a dedicated fan of Simone Biles, supporting her during her exceptional 2024 season from the sidelines. Simone Biles‘ record-breaking journey to the Olympic trials and potentially the Summer Olympics in Paris is inspiring. SZA’s acknowledgment on her social media handle highlights the enduring impact of sportsmanship in the world of athletics.

On Instagram, pop sensation SZA shared a Gymnastics Now post from @planetofgymnastics, applauding Simone Biles’ achievements in the Xfinity Games. SZA wrote, “MY KING” expressing her immense admiration for the elite gymnast. In the Gymnastics Now post, they wrote, “Simone Biles scores a 15.200 on the floor to become the first woman in the world to go over a 60 this quad with a 60.450.”

Simone Biles beat Skye Blakely and Kayla DiCello to the top. Her total over two days was 119.750. She also won all individual event titles. With 30.425 on vaults, 29.050 on Uneven Bars as well as 29.600 on Balance Beams, and 30.300 on the floor exercise. She won the 9th-ever Xfinity US Championship title at the final event before the lead-up to the US Olympic trials at the end of June.

This has gained her the favor of people around the world including SZA, who at one point was a gymnast herself. In an article on curiously.co.uk, they mentioned how SZA used to be a “super-good” high school gymnast. In this way, Simone and SZA are alike as they both had successful high school gymnastics careers.

SZA explained show gymnastics allowed her a chance to vent, saying she would, “freak [ herself] out and then mind-over-matter [herself]” However she gave it up when she realized that she didn’t have the prowess to make it to the Olympics. Saying, “If I can’t win, I won’t play.” Which was a correct decision since her songs have gained her over 48 awards and 193 nominations. However, SZA continues to follow the sport closely.

SZA and Simone Biles carve their paths of excellence

They recently became linked through their nominations for the BET awards. SZA received a nomination for Best Female R&B/Pop artist. As well as Video of the Year with “Oh my mama” and Best collaboration with iconic rapper Drake. Simone Biles received a nomination for Sportswoman of the Year alongside Angel Reese and Juju Watkins. The award show will be held on June 30, 2024, at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, California. Fans are eagerly anticipating a meeting between the two stars.

Simone and SZA both inspire a generation of young singers and gymnasts. Biles previously opened up in an interview about her anxiety and panic attacks. She then urged people to take care of themselves, saying, “We have to protect our body and our mind. It just sucks when you’re fighting with your own head. Whenever you get in a high-stress situation, you kind of freak out. I have to focus on my mental health and well-being.”

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Simone Biles’ Look-Alike Sister Rekindles Gymnastics Past Despite Stepping Away Years Ago: “Urge to Always…”

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Simone Biles, widely regarded as one of the greatest gymnasts ever has set new standards of excellence. With 32 Olympic and World Championship medals, becoming a role model for athletes worldwide. Simone Biles’ younger sister Adria also followed in her footsteps till she completed high school. Adria, who closely resembles her famous sister, recently expressed her enduring love for gymnastics, a sport deeply ingrained in her family’s life.

The World Champion’s sister later quit the elite competition to pursue further studies. Though she has mentioned that she somewhat regrets the decisions. The two are reportedly extremely close and are often mistaken for one another. Adria once said in an interview how even in Brazil, she was often mistaken for her Olympic gold medalist sister, saying, “They’d ask for autographs and take pictures. And many times they didn’t speak English so I couldn’t explain that I wasn’t her.” Now, it seems, the sisters share more than just looks. They share a very deep love for gymnastics as well. Adria’s recent social media post proved that succinctly

In a recent story on Instagram, Simone Biles’ sister Adria was seen at the beach with a friend. The duo were enjoying reminiscing about old times as they performed a side-by-side flip. Adria Biles seemed nostalgic as she captioned her story, “the urge to always flip”. Though Adria bowed out of competitive gymnastics many years ago, her love for the sport remains strong. After competing for 10 years, Adria Biles left the sport while being at the junior elite level. She has since gone on to pursue a career in hygiene and dental assisting. However, both Biles sisters have openly acknowledged that Adria faced comparisons to Simone after every victory, which disheartened her.

During a video session answering fans’ questions, Simone spoke about how much the comparisons negatively affected her sister’s morale. She said, “She quit because of the pressure, and everybody compared her to me…Whenever she went to competitions like ‘Oh, her sister always wins, she always wins, that’s not fair’”. After stepping away from gymnastics, Adria joined a dancing crew affiliated with the Houston Astros called the Shooting Stars. She proudly represented the team at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas, before eventually shifting her focus to pursue a career in healthcare.

She also appeared on Claim to Fame, a TV show hosted by Kevin and Frankie Jonas. Despite competing under the guise of the name Louise, her resemblance to Simone Biles led to her instant recognition. Though Adria had not yet confirmed any speculations of her returning to competitive gymnastics, the community is still eagerly waiting.

Adria Biles’ interest in gymnastics sparks enthusiasm and hope

When Adria Biles was young, she found immense inspiration in her elder sister Simone and actively pursued gymnastics. She diligently honed her skill and was a level 9 competitor. Though she did not win Olympic medals, break world records or perform the dangerous Yurchenko double pike like her sister, at one point they had equal skills. During an “Ask Me Anything” session on Instagram, when questioned about any regrets regarding her decision to leave gymnastics, Adria responded affirmatively. However, she also shared that she now coaches and has discovered stability and purpose in her life.

Despite not confirming her return, Adria Biles evidently misses the sport. Earlier this year she took to Instagram to share a double flip. It was part of the “Everybody add a flip” trend. Her perfect execution was accompanied by a caption, “I miss it everyday” followed by a red heart. While Adria Biles has moved on from competitive gymnastics, her heart still cherishes the thrill of the sport.

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