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Debate

Can Simone Biles' 'Gold Over America' tour truly revolutionize gymnastics, or is it just another show?

Simone Biles was a sight to behold at the now-concluded Paris Olympics. Her performances in almost every single category awed the fans as she went on to win four medals—three gold and one silver. This took her total Olympic tally to 11, making her the second most decorated female gymnast of all time. You’d think she’d kick back and take a breather after that kind of run, right? Nope. Simone’s just getting started!

Fresh off her incredible Olympic performance, Biles is back at it again, launching the second edition of the Gold Over America tour, and this time, she’s bringing along some star power. Gymnasts like Jade Carey, Jordan Chiles, Hexley Rivera, and Brody Malone are all set to join the fun. Fans were obsessed with the first tour after Tokyo, but this one? It could be even more epic, especially with a twist that might shake things up.

In an Instagram story, Simone Biles shared a video of male gymnasts trying their luck on the balance beam—a discipline exclusively for women in the Olympics. With a cheeky caption, “okay boys” and some clapping emojis, Biles hinted at something groundbreaking. Could this be the next big thing in gymnastics?

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Traditionally, guys don’t do the beam in competition, sticking to events like pommel horse, high bar, and rings. The beam, known for its elegance and balance, has been seen as a women’s event, tied to dance elements like ballet. Meanwhile, men’s gymnastics leans into raw power and strength. But what if the Gold Over America tour changes all that and opens the door for guys to show off their balance and finesse on the beam? It could be a game-changer for the sport. But that’s not all!

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Men’s gymnastics hasn’t quite captured the same level of attention as the women’s events. With female gymnastics in its golden era, featuring incredible athletes like Simone Biles, it’s no wonder the spotlight is shining so brightly on them. But Biles isn’t just resting on her laurels. She’s on a mission to change the game for male gymnasts too, and her Gold Over America Tour is a big step in that direction.

When asked about why she’s bringing male gymnasts into the mix, Biles shared: “(The men) also bring a little bit, in the best way, sex appeal. I think that’s very interesting and it brings a different type of crowd too. It’s like they can do really cool tricks with little to no effort without training and so I think it’ll be a beautiful show.”

Fred Richards, the Olympic bronze medallist, wants to bring eyes to the male sport and is thus taking part in it. He said, “The goal is to get as many eyes on men’s gymnastics side as possible and have more people understand who we are and what we do.” According to him, working with the eleven-time medallist would help him do that.

What’s your perspective on:

Can Simone Biles' 'Gold Over America' tour truly revolutionize gymnastics, or is it just another show?

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Simone Biles’ impressive feats and relentless drive truly cement her legacy as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time. But with such a remarkable career, fans can’t help but wonder: How long will she keep dazzling us? Will she grace the next Olympics with her presence?

Simone Biles talks about her future in gymnastics and the LA Olympics

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Simone Biles recently lit up The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, and it was pure gold. Decked out in her special GOAT pendant, she chatted about her phenomenal Olympic performances and tackled the big question everyone’s been wondering: Will she be back for the LA Olympics?

When Fallon asked about her future plans, Biles playfully threw up her hands and said, “Can’t I live?” before diving into the serious stuff. She acknowledged the age factor with a laugh, saying, “First, I’m getting older… 27 is a little bit old for a gymnast.” And while 27 is practically a baby in the real world, gymnasts often hang up their leotards in their mid twenties. By the time the LA Games roll around, Simone will be 31.

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She added with a chuckle, “Outside of gym, oh, yeah, I’m young! Tequila. No hangover. But in the gym, I am old.” Biles even joked about how she might still make a splash at the Olympics: “Maybe if we do, like, tag? If we could do tag beam, vault, floor, bars. Like, tag somebody else?”

From her playful banter and lighthearted suggestions, it looks like her chances of competing in LA are slim. But fear not, as she herself has said, “Never say never.” Simone Biles has already carved out an irreplaceable spot in gymnastics history. Whether she’s competing or not, her legacy as one of the greatest gymnasts ever is set in stone.