The 2024 Olympics will be one for the history books for more than one reason. While all the world’s finest sports stars will fly to Paris with hopes of etching their names among the elites, the stakes are probably even higher for Simone Biles. After having to quit her run at the Tokyo Olympics due to sudden pangs of mental health disruption, the country’s most decorated gymnast is determined to reclaim her throne, come what may. However, she might have a few helping hands along the way back to the top.

The recently concluded Xfinity US Gymnastics Championships saw Biles bolster her claim for a spot in the national team in the most emphatic way possible. After securing a monumental 60-plus score on the first day of the competition, Simone picked up her ninth all-around gold medal at the tournament. And yet, Simone can’t but recognize all the peers who have helped her to achieve greatness. It goes to show there are no rotten apples in Simone Biles’ company.

Simone Biles surrounded by true compatriots and messiahs in solidarity with her

In a recent video post by GymCastic on YouTube, Simone talked about all those who have helped her keep her head in the game and overcome adversities. When the “twisties” made life a misery for Biles, she had to take a two-year hiatus before returning to action. Noting that the return has been arduous, Simone said she made sure to keep visiting the therapist regularly to get back to the mental state to compete again, despite getting old.

At the interview after the Xfinity Championship, Simone said being surrounded by her peers has helped her immensely despite gaining years. “I feel like now I’m so old so I feel like every year it changes but I think specifically this year it’s just having so many of my WCC teammates out here um on a big stage competing with them,” Biles said this is what has helped her stay hungry. On top of that, she also said that being able to use her expertise to guide others has been a fulfilling experience as well. “I’ve been where they’ve been I’ve done what they’re doing right now so if I can make it easier and make it a little bit less stressful and just have fun out there then that’s what I’m going to do“, confessed a beaming Simone.

In the latter part of the interview, Simone was heard hailing her teammates for being in each other’s corner. “…we can kind of lean on each other and I think that’s what girls do” Biles was heard saying as she acknowledged how much of an anchor her comrades have been.

Simone’s helping hand is never too far away

While Biles lauded her teammates for being there when she needed them, she herself has remained a strong inspiration for many of her colleagues. When the former world champ Jordan Chiles faced one of the toughest moments of her life and career in 2018, Biles went out of her way to convince the former to come train with her in Texas. The decision to pay heed to the Olympic gold medalist’s suggestion proved to be a significant one for Chiles, and she once again found her love for the sport. Since then, the two have formed a strong bond, which to this day remains unwavering despite them both being two contenders for a spot in Team USA.

At the Xfinity US Gymnastics Championships too, Simone was spotted helping Auburn star and the 2020 Olympics gold medalist Suni Lee maintain composure in the all-around competition. After Suni’s vault routine ended up in an unexpected snag, Simone was seen standing beside Lee during the latter’s UB performance. Thanks to Biles’ encouragement, Lee finished the tournament in fourth place all-around, earning her pat on the back ahead of the national team trials.

With the very last lap to the Olympics now in full swing, who do you believe will make waves in Paris later this year? Tell us more in the comments!