As the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championship threw accolades like confetti, Simone Biles made her mark again. After a highly anticipated comeback at the US Hydration Core Classic in August, she set her sights on the World Championships. Quite obviously, her ‘Worlds’ comeback also paid off, as she earned the all-around title with a 58.399. Subsequently, she anchored the US women’s roster to victory with an extraordinary 167.729. After leaving every other competitor behind, the seven-time Olympic medalist had an unusual confession.

Having started her athletic journey on the Antwerp ground, Biles, then 16-year-old, earned the all-around World Title. Things were different back then. For a gymnast who witnessed glory up close, having a penchant for medals and podiums was natural. However, after the GOAT faced a setback at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, her perceptions changed. Simone has transformed into a better person, besides being the owner of 37 medals.

Simone Biles’ doesn’t run behind the podium anymore

One of Simone’s fan pages named Biles and Chiles shared a post-event interview of the Olympain. In more than half-an-decade, she was the oldest woman to have competed at the World Championships. In order to celebrate her illustrious career, several fans post her inspirational journey on social media. Along similar lines, this fan captioned the post as “Simone’s interview after winning the gold on floor and beam today!!” 

In the recent event, Simone took home four golds, which had the balance beam and floor all-around as well. But her excitement at the podium finish had dimmed a little. When asked, “How has the pressure changed since last year?”, she stressed her ”umm” to come up with an answer.

She responded, saying, “I think maybe how I let things affect me, and before, whenever I was going out there, it was always about medals and stuff like that. But I think I worried a bit more about ending up on the podium and I’m just like, umm.. don’t care.” Her statement asserted that a professional setback, which once looked inimical, changed her for good.

Moreover, it also asserts that with time and experience, the gymnast has become wiser and more giving. Being the oldest woman out there competing, her standpoint speaks volumes. Though her US National Title and World all-around title proved her worth, Simone took a while to look past 2021. Behind the fearless, not bothered about podium Simone, lies a vulnerable soul.

The GOAT’s past traumas still haunt

As the preparation for the World Artistic Gymnastics Championship was in full swing, the coach and gymnast duo confessed something. The 4X Olympic gold medalist still feels the thoughts of Tokyo coming back. Just before the big event kick-started, Biles feared getting the ‘Twisties’ again. Moreover, the pressure peaked because she had to get Yurchenko Double Pike named after her.

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One of Biles’ interviews, posted on ‘X’ read, “Simone said she’s going to stick with the Yurchenko double pike and Cheng (no Amanar). Simone said she thinks Laurent is stressed about the Amanar because of what happened in Tokyo.” However, after continuous hesitancies surrounding which vault to train for and perform, she could finally take the burden off her shoulders.

Simone not only named the YDP as Biles II with a phenomenal finish but also took home her 37th medal across the Olympics and World Championships. Tying herself with the greatest Uchimara Kohei with a 7th World Title win, Biles, the GOAT, looks forward to a successful Paris trip in 2024.

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