Simone Biles mentioned earlier this year that missing out on the Paris Olympics won’t “crush” her. However, it seems like the four-time Olympic gold medalist is well on her way to reclaim her throne at the French capital. Having performed impressively since last year’s World Championships, Biles has been showing her determination to make it again after her “twisties” incident at the last Games.

While Gabby Douglas’ hopes of making a triumphant return after 8 long years have ended because of an ankle injury, a lot of the responsibility of bringing home the gold now resides on Biles’ shoulders. As the race for a spot gets more intense, fans think Simone’s elite status isn’t something to catch one off-guard.

Simone Biles’ strategy re-affirmed

Over the years, Biles has had several run-ins with setbacks that have disrupted her career. However, she has bounced back from the adversities each time, and she’s on her way to doing it again. In a recent post on X by user Poor Lawyer, the ideal return tactics for elite gymnastics who have been away from action for too long have been delved into. “I get the sense that if you’re an Olympian making a comeback after being away from elite gymnastics for 3 or more years, you need to be “competitive” in the season the YEAR before the Olympic Games to have a realistic shot of making the Olympic Team again,” says the post.

While 2018 was a chaotic year for the gymnastics community in general, owing to the nauseating actions of former US national team coach Larry Nassar, Biles refused to let her trauma define her future. After a brief hiatus in 2017, Simone returned to international competition in 2017 to start conditioning. And now, as she recovers from the mental health troubles that prompted her to pull out of the final match at the last Olympics, Simone’s fans once again come forward to highlight what sets her apart from the rest of the flock.

“The talent is there”: Tense yet positive responses flood in from Team USA’s fanbase

Considering how Biles followed a similar strategy before the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as well, fans were quick to highlight what makes her such a force to be reckoned with. One commented, “There’s a reason Simone has always come back at least the season prior.” Referring to her 2019 career moments, when she competed at the Stuttgart World Cup, US National Championships, and the World Championships before securing her spot for the 2020 Games, this fan also noted this is exactly what helps to ease off the pressure of competing on the highest level.

A netizen floated the instances of Gabby Douglas who went under the radar after her triumph at the 2012 Olympics only to return to competing professionally in 2016 and representing the USA at the Rio Olympics. “To my knowledge, nobody has come back first competing during the Olympic year and made the team.” This person also mentions that Biles, Douglas, and Aly Raisman have all followed a similar trajectory in their lives before.

While Simone’s hiatus from 2017 culminated with her bagging a spot in the national team to Tokyo, her recent comeback at the 2023 World Championships wasn’t too shabby either. Agreeing with the original post’s views, a fan also reinstated how Biles has been able to pull off the feat more than once. “Agreed that’s how Simone did it both times she has comeback“, wrote the gymnastics connoisseur.

While Gabby’s ankle injury broke many hearts, some fans believe she was a little too late to the party and should have started her journey sooner. Tim thinks it should have been the Olympic gold medalist’s coach who should’ve explained the stakes to Douglas more clearly, considering how she has what it takes to continue adding to her impressive resume. “I bet if Gabby had a smarter coach she could’ve done it this year, the talent is there.” sounded the fan’s frustrated tone.

Earlier this month, Gabby awed fans with her back-breaking workout at a farm. Drawing parallels with that, one fan noted, “I wish Gabby had started earlier outside of the gym,” if she really wanted another shot at glory, wrote this individual in the comments.

Well, while there’s a common disappointment that Gabby Douglas won’t make it, most of the fanbase continues to proudly stand by Simone Biles and is confident in her prowess to get that shiny Gold home. As the final stretch to the Paris Games heats up, who do you think will make the final list at the Team Trials next month? Tell us your predictions in the comments!