One week in, and to say that the Simone Biles-led Gold Over America Tour is turning heads would be an understatement. Watching such top elite gymnasts perform a few meters away is a sight that is probably leaving fans not even wanting to blink. Themed costumes, lights, music—it ticks all the boxes of a blockbuster. But what is in for the athletes?

Unlike the 2021 version, this time the men have been welcomed aboard. Thus, Paul Juda, Brody Malone, Shane Wiskus, and Co. are sure having to learn a lot with the G.O.A.T. around. But how do they reckon this experience to be different from other gymnastic competitions? It isn’t the normal competitive setup, and thus, the gymnasts perhaps don’t feel the nerves. While that is a given, there are a few pointers that make it unique.

Simone Biles’ Gold Over America Tour is no ordinary gymnastics event

Ask Simone Biles about this rigorous gymnastics tour, and she’ll say, “It’s really about sharing that love and passion for the sport with the audience.” It’s also like one big post-Olympics celebration broken into 30 individual bits as the whole of America comes together to relish their Paris achievements. Moreover, Biles agrees that it serves as a much-needed break for the gymnasts to come together and have fun after sweating it out in their intense Olympic training.

Fred Richard highlights how, along with power-packed entertainment, inspiring the next generation is also their motto: “They see what we do and want to become us one day.” Interestingly, the Gold Over America Tour also features athletic brilliance intertwined with high-energy dance choreographies, and that is a rarity. Moreover, the performances have gymnasts grooving to hits as songs by Taylor Swift and Beyonce turn the place up, which aptly fits the definition of a “gymnastics-meets-pop-concert spectacle.”

Cutting the need to have sheer perfect routines also allows the male gymnasts to have fun. Also, instead of doing the usual tricks, they can keep a sharper eye on the quality of their performance. Brody Malone noted how this was oh-so-different from a usual event day. “In competitions, I’m super serious. I don’t really talk that much, barely even smile, to be honest. But this is just fun, and I get to jump around, dance and hype the crowd up.” Performance days are nothing like before. But coming to the main attraction of the show—the gymnast G.O.A.T. herself—one might wonder about the drive that fuels her for the tour!

What are Biles’ motives behind the Gold Over America Tour?

The debut version of the Gold Over America Tour launched in 2021, right after Simone Biles and the team were back from Tokyo. Thus, mental health and the idea of ‘not being okay’ was a theme that they truly touched upon. But this time, that story reaches its climax as the gymnasts strive to portray, “This one is the outcome of putting in that work, taking care of yourself, and where it gets you.” 

Making a reference to their Paris redemption, she adds that this tour is about depicting the fruit that comes after taking care of oneself and success, per Olympics.com. Also, she wishes to show the kids who attend that it’s okay to fall and get up, as they spread the message of hope and inspiration.

Besides, given that the men have also joined the gala this year, Simone Biles mentions how “(the men) also bring a little bit, in the best way, sex appeal.” And that a relatively different type of crowd could be pulled in by this. Also, the show has added rhythmic gymnastics to the lineup. And well, there’s also a hint of SlamBall players that could show up! What is your favorite part about this show? Let us know below!