Simone Biles first stepped onto the mat when she was six years old. And since there have been many who have supported her and cheered her on. But none quite like her “gymnastics Olympics mother”! A person who has while remaining a constant on the screens of American households has quietly cheered the queen of gymnastics on. So it comes as no surprise that on the last day on screen for her “Olympics mother”, Biles showed up!

On January 10th, Simone Biles stepped into the TODAY studio in New York to surprise her biggest supporter and NBC TV host Hoda Kotb. And no doubt, Hoda was overcome by a flood of emotions. “I can’t believe you came,” said Hoda. Biles’ response? “Of course, you showed up and supported me,” were Biles’ words that instantly sent Hoda into a spiral of emotions. Confused as to why that is?

Well, the moment while being the culmination of 26 year old television career was also something else for Hoda Kotb. As Hoda holding back her tears, puts it, “I watched you (Biles) grow up. I watched you go to the mountaintop. I watched you fall down and get back up again.” It was a full circle moment of sorts for the host who had covered the ups and downs of the Simone Biles journey. “So what about Biles? What was the “support” that she spoke about?

The Biles-Hoda bond thrives on the shared pillars of the Olympics and the Today show. As Biles herself puts it, “I’ve been coming to the Today Show for years and sharing vulnerable stories which Hoda has given such a great platform to be open and raw.” Over the years, Hoda Kotb has provided gymnasts with a “safe space” to tell their stories. “And it’s just been a beautiful thing that’s flourished,” added Biles. But that’s not all!

Hoda, who has cheered Biles on during Tokyo debacles and then again at the Paris 2024, felt it was perhaps the best way to end her final day. The emotional Hoda even went on to admit, “Before I had kids, I hoped they’d be like you.” Biles adding to the emotional rollercoaster went on to say, “You supported me, and I wanted to be there for you.” However, Simone Biles had arrived with perhaps the best parting gift to give a TV host. A gift that left Hoda saying, “We broke news on my last day!”

A barrage of sisterhood, coupled with a parting gift from Simone Biles!

The clock is ticking not just on Hoda Kotb’s clock at TODAY, but also on Simone Biles’ gymnastics clock. It was not long ago that Biles went on to say, “I’m at a point in my career where I’m humble enough to know when to be done.” However, amidst the barrage of sisterhood moments, Biles went on to talk about both her and Hoda’s futures!

“Hopefully we’re in LA together, whatever that means,” said Biles. And just like that, Simone dropped a hint that has the gymnastics community excited. Could the queen of gymnastics be returning to the mat for the homeland Olympics? And will the world see Hoda Kotb cheering her on as always? Well, with those words from the queen, both of it is very much on the horizon. If this were to turn into reality, the world would be witnessing two queens of their own accord breaking the barriers of ageism and creating an unimaginable legacy. So what’s next?

Only time will tell. However, one thing is for sure, the world is waiting to see if Simone Biles and Hoda Kotb will make it to LA2028!