Simone Biles is riding high on a stellar form and on the way to her third Olympic Games. And yet, shadows of the past cannot be dismissed entirely. Despite being the most decorated gymnast in history, Biles’ run at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics came to an unprecedented end when “the twisties” prompted her to pull out of the finals. However, despite the disappointing end to her last Games, Simone’s family remained unwavering in standing by her decision.

An article by Business Insider brings back memories of 2021 when Nellie Biles helped her daughter not succumb to the expectations and pressure and make the call as Simone saw fit. “I felt like a flying rag doll,” Biles was quoted saying in the article as it went on to narrate how the gymnast left the arena to confer with her mother after she got cold feet ahead of the vault routine three years ago.

“They will do their best without you. I don’t want you going out there if you’re not in a good place, and you don’t need to go out there and hurt yourself. That’s just not right,” Nellie assured an unnerved Simone. Going into the Tokyo Games, Simone was one of the strongest names to carry the USA’s hopes to maintain the country’s dominance on the biggest stage. Up till the finals, Biles also executed her responsibilities flawlessly, but everything took a turn for the worst.

“I had no idea what I was about to do, but I knew I wasn’t about to do a 2.5…it’s not a fun feeling when your body is so out of sync with your mind. It’s not only scary, but it’s dangerous,” Simone was caught saying in the article. However, after she explained the situation to her coach, it was Nellie next on the line to affirm the gymnast’s call. “You need to take care of yourself, okay?” her mother didn’t think twice before telling Biles not to fret over what others might think.

“I put myself first for once,” reiterated the four-time Olympic gold medalist noting how she braved “broken ribs, shattered toes, kidney stones, [and] sexual abuse,” to compete before. “I’m a fighter,” said Simone, and it’s probably this iron will that’s helping her to send messages to her critics ahead of the rumble in Paris.

Simone Biles has been fighting her way back to the top

After a brief hiatus from competing, Simone returned to action in 2023, showcasing her worth with prominence at the US Classic and the US National Championships. In both tournaments, Biles bagged the top spot emphatically and then went on to win the all-around gold at the 2023 World Gymnastics Championships. Since then, Biles has gained a momentum that doesn’t show hints of slowing down anytime soon. At this year’s Core Hydration Classic and Xfinity US Championships as well, nothing could stop Simone from claiming the all-around and several individual event titles. At last month’s US Olympic Team Trials too, Biles was announced as the winner after the second day of the tournament, waiving the green flag for her to represent the US at the quadrennial event for a third time.

At this year’s US Championships in Fort Worth, Texas, Simone recorded her first above 60 points since the 2021 Olympic Trials, making it clear that she is determined to set the record straight about her superiority at the Paris Olympics. But will she be able to overcome the troubling incident that transpired the last time and shut out the harsh words from her critics at the French capital? What is your prediction for Biles? Tell us in the comments section below!