Fresh off her breathtaking performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she added four more medals to her already legendary collection, Simone Biles is taking her well-deserved victory lap—literally. The gymnastics icon is hitting the road with her highly anticipated Gold Over America Tour, affectionately known as the “GOAT” tour. Spanning 30 cities across the U.S., this celebration of gymnastics is more than just a spectacle—it’s a tribute to Biles’ unmatched career and the sport she has redefined.

But Simone Biles isn’t just flipping through the air in front of sold-out crowds. The most decorated gymnast in history is on a mission to break down long-standing misconceptions about gymnastics, fueled by inaccurate portrayals in movies and pop culture. And if that wasn’t enough, Biles is also branching out into new territory, preparing to open her own restaurant, proving that she’s not just a star in the arena but in every venture she tackles.

Debunking the myths, Simone Biles reveals the truth about gymnastics on and off the mat

In a recent candid conversation with US Weekly Simone Biles reflected on one of the sport’s biggest myths, the portrayal of gymnastics as a seemingly easy sport in movies. When Simone was asked about her opinion on what movies get wrong about gymnastics, Biles said, “They get wrong is how easy the sport is. They do a back walkover, back handspring on the beam, and they’re like, ‘I won the Olympics!’” Biles added with a laugh, “No, it’s not like that. You’d be in level six if you tried that, not in elite gymnastics.” 

Beyond the physical demands, Biles also addressed another common trope in movies. Simone reflected on the way the rivalry between athletes is promoted in movies. “They always pin women against each other, and that is not the case.” added Biles. Highlighting the bonding she shares with Jordan Chiles she added, “Whenever we’re on the floor, it is truly a sisterhood.”. 

Simone mentioned that she was just 14 and Chiles was an 11-year-old little girl when they met each other for the first time. So, alongside healthy competition, the real scenario is that they always root for each other’s win. As Biles continues her national tour, she’s not just celebrating her historic career. Rather, she’s using the spotlight to shed light on the realities of the sport. 

Is Biles’ Olympic glory overshadowed by Paris village disappointments?

Although the Paris Olympics crowned the gymnastics queen with three gold and one silver, Simone Biles recently confessed her disappointment over the Olympic Village. It’s her wins that framed the narrative of Biles’ journey to the city of love. However, there’s another aspect that poses a different picture of Biles’ Paris quest. She recently shared her disappointment over the arrangements in the village. 

She stated that despite being “elite athletes”, they are not treated in the best way possible at the biggest international athletic event. Biles complained about the cardboard beds they had to sleep on during their stay in the Olympic village. She also threw light on the fact that sleeping on those cardboard beds makes it tough for them to give their best on the international stage. 

Confessing her feelings unapologetically, Simone added, “We’re the best athletes in the world, so I just feel like for one or two weeks, we deserve the best of the best. We shouldn’t be stressing about sleeping on a cardboard bed” However, despite all the “cardboard” setbacks, Simone Biles and her team shone in Paris.