The Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony is currently underway. As gloomy clouds loom over the city, thousands of spectators marvel at the grandeur of the Seine River. With 100 boats set to make the short trip, many fans were ecstatic to watch their favorites make an appearance. While Team USA is set to appear shortly, Simone Biles was not a part of the historic ceremony. The U.S. gymnastics team will be competing at the Bercy Arena on Sunday, which has swayed their decision to be a part of this spectacle.

Snoop Dogg carried the Olympic torch through Saint-Denis, north of Paris ahead of the opening ceremony, adding to the electric energy of the Summer Games. As the parade commenced, many were waiting for a mere glimpse of the 27-year-old. Even though the G.O.A.T. wasn’t present on Team USA’s boat, Baby Biles and her family were there to cheer her on. Her parents, Nellie and Ronald Biles spoke to Snoop Dogg and Hoda Kotb.

Kotb asked Nellie if Simone was not a part of the parade due to the gymnastics qualification on Sunday. “The first [gymnastics] competition is Sunday, which is women’s qualifier and of course she needs to rest up before that competition,” her mother responded. In May, USA Gymnastics CEO Li Li Leung stated that any athlete attending the ceremony would probably be on their feet for a few hours. While they were allowed to make their decision, the physical toll should be one of the many factors to consider.

The most decorated gymnast will be contesting her third Olympic berth in Paris. After her decision to focus on her mental health, many are excited to see how Simone Biles fares at the Bercy Arena. Nellie exclaimed that her daughter is in “a really good place” and is glad to have her squad with her throughout the duration of the Summer Games. “She is happy that we are here. Seventeen of us are here to cheer her on,” her mother stated with a huge smile on her face.

Kotb asked Nellie Biles if she could FaceTime her daughter to see how she’s feeling. While they waited, Snoop Dogg addressed Baby Biles, “I want to give a shoutout to the baby over there who keeps frowning at me.” We know she wasn’t too pleased about the light rain over Paris. As soon as the gymnast picked up the call, everyone cheered as Kotb and Snoop Dogg greeted Simone, who had a huge grin on her face. 

Simone Biles turned heads during Team USA’s podium practice

On July 26, the U.S. gymnastics team arrived at the Bercy Arena to prepare for Sunday’s qualification events. While everyone knows how majestic the 27-year-old is on the mat, her flawless execution of the Yurchenko double pike vault had everyone floored. She made it look so effortless that she didn’t even have to shift her weight after a strong landing. Many have seen her attempt the move named after her before, but her teammates let out the loudest cheer from the stands as she confidently landed on her feet.

The most decorated gymnast will also be debuting a move that’s never been done by any American female gymnast before at the Olympics. If she successfully executes her take on the Weiler-kip, she will then have a signature move across all the apparatus. What can’t Simone Biles do?

Her parents have always been her loudest cheerleaders. Even though they couldn’t watch her contest at the Tokyo Olympics from the stands, they would regularly FaceTime their daughter. The gymnast never misses a chance to show her appreciation for her parents. She once expressed, “Their support means the world to me.” On Sunday, her parents will be watching their little girl step onto the world’s biggest stage with an open heart and lots of courage.