“Hated to Disappoint Her”: Simone Biles Ditched UCLA to Go Pro in Gymnastics During Her Early Days

Going professional in any sport requires the athlete’s full-time dedication. Whether they choose to sacrifice other hobbies or dedicate more time – it calls for effort. It often means that the athlete cannot pursue other goals alongside their sport. Legendary gymnast Simone Biles faced something similar. When she decided to train for gymnastics professionally, she had to give up on her other dreams.

Apart from becoming a famous gymnast, Simone also wanted to join UCLA’s athletic team – the UCLA Bruins. In her book Courage to Soar: A Body in Motion, A Life in Balance, the gymnast mentions how she had to choose one of both options.

Simone Biles made a nerve-wracking decision

After having committed to enrolling at the University of California, Los Angeles, Simone decided to go pro instead. Although she had promised her coach Valorie Kondos Field that she would play for the UCLA Bruins, she changed her mind. It meant she had to break the news to coach Val, who was eagerly awaiting her arrival.

It was tough for Simone. She tried her best to delay breaking the news and even asked her mother to make the call for her. But in the end, she made the big move. She called up coach Val and broke the news – she was going to go pro and wouldn’t join UCLA.

Read More: “Was Spinning Around on My Neck”: Simone Biles Recalled the Dread of Her Gymnastics Existence in Her Book

The icon recalled in her book, “She’d been so excited when I’d committed, and I hated to disappoint her now”. However, things changed for the better after that phone call. When Simone broke the news, coach Val already saw what was coming. She expressed her joy, much to the gymnast’s relief. Coach Valerie also assured the icon that she could always return to the UCLA Bruins after her professional career ended.

Coach Val’s never-ending support

Later, when Simone publicly announced her decision to go pro, coach Valerie wished her all the best. Since then, the coach has stood by her star student through all her troubles. When Simone decided to quit the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, she applauded her decision and courage like most people.

Being one of Simone’s earliest coaches, coach Val and the star gymnast share a special bond. Although the star has embarked upon her journey, she could always return to coach Val and continue to live her dream.

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