Simone Biles strutted into the Paris Olympics with the weight of redemption on her shoulders. After her Tokyo struggles with the “twisties,” the world was watching, hoping to see her bounce back. If she felt the pressure, you’d never know it from her performance. Simone dazzled and was all smiles, snagging four medals—including three golds—solidifying her place as a gymnastics legend. She became the second most decorated female gymnast in history with a total of 11 Olympic medals, proving she’s still the best in the business.

But here’s the kicker: the real stress for Simone Biles wasn’t during her routines but at the closing ceremony. Simone Biles had the honor of carrying the Olympic flag during the Sunday, August 11, closing ceremony, a moment she would probably rank as one of her most nerve-wracking. Stepping onto the stage at the Stade de France, she joined forces with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass as musician H.E.R. belted out the American national anthem. This patriotic moment set the stage for the evening’s high-flying highlight: Tom Cruise making a dramatic entrance as he soared into the crowd. She even sported a precautionary boot on her foot, due to some soreness in her calf.

You’d think handing the flag to Tom Cruise would be a breeze compared to nailing a flawless routine, right? Wrong. Simone Biles recently revealed on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon that she was more nervous handing off the flag than performing her gravity-defying moves. “I’m always tripping, falling down stairs, which is bad for me,” she confessed. “So, actually, that’s like the most nervous I was for the whole entire Olympics. I had to hand the flag. I’m like don’t mess up, don’t mess up. I was terrified.”

The Olympic phenom even praised Tom Cruise for his down-to-earth vibes, sharing a little Insta-love after the ceremony. On Instagram, Simone wrote, “Such an honor. I haven’t found the right words to describe my Olympic experience. It’s been a whirlwind… but I do know, I’ll be forever grateful to represent the United States.”

Tom Cruise replied with his signature charm, “Simone, it was an absolute honor to receive the Olympic flag from you this weekend. Your artistry is one-of-a-kind. Witnessing your dedication to your craft first-hand over the past several weeks has been a true pleasure!” Clearly, the mutual admiration is off the charts. But the drama didn’t stop there. Amid the Olympic fanfare, there was another surprise guest that stole the spotlight!

Simone Biles was surprised by an unlikely guest on the Jimmy Fallon Show!

Ahead of her appearance on The Tonight Show, Simone Biles and Jimmy Fallon had a bit of fun promoting the episode. On camera, a goat made a surprise entrance, adding a touch of whimsy to the segment. As the goat pranced onto the scene, Simone’s necklace, proudly sporting “GOAT,” sparkled with added brilliance. It was a perfect television moment, cleverly playing into the nickname that celebrates Biles as the Greatest of All Time in gymnastics.

But beyond the playful gag, the GOAT necklace represents something more profound. Simone Biles has fully embraced the title given to her by fans and critics alike. With an astounding tally of 11 Olympic medals and 30 World Championship medals since her senior debut in 2013, Biles has redefined gymnastics. Despite encountering challenges along the way, she has consistently demonstrated her dominance and excellence in the sport. Owning up to her GOAT status isn’t just a fun moment—it’s a well-deserved acknowledgment of her exceptional career and impact on gymnastics!