The days leading up to Paris 2024 were nerve-wracking for Simone Biles. The 27-year-old’s ‘redemption tour’ began in 2023 when she made a statement on the international stage at the World Championships in September. However, despite arriving in Paris as the defending all-around world champion, the Olympian still had a chip on her shoulder.

Despite the disappointment of Tokyo weighing on her shoulders, Biles found support in her family. As the world waited with bated breath to see the grand finale of Biles’ comeback, Ronald and Nellie Biles didn’t ask for a victory. In Episode 3 of the Simone Biles Rising, her adoptive father Ronald Biles made a heart-warming comment on his daughter’s career.

“I’ve probably been to at least a hundred or more of her competitions,” the 75-year-old said in the Netflix documentary. Watching Simone Biles compete since she was six to her winning four gold medals at Rio 2016, Ronald didn’t believe his daughter had anything left to prove. Instead, the former Air Force veteran was concerned about his daughter’s mental and physical health.

“Just go out there and have fun and be yourself. Be safe. That’s all. And whether you win or lose, we still gonna love you.” Roland Biles said in Episode 3: I will defy the odds. Ron Biles adopted the gymnastics icon after she had spent three years in foster care, and since then, has become the architect behind the eleven-time Olympic medalist’s success.

“I remember the first one (competition) she had,” confessed Ron Biles. Although it was over decades ago, he recalled how the judges agreed that Biles deserved a medal. Yet, going into Paris 2024, Siome Biles’ parents simply wanted to support her, irrespective of the outcome. “Because she riles on us as a family, to be there for her, to listen to her,” Nellie Biles added, but there was good reason behind Ron’s concern for his daughter’s safety.

Simone Biles’ father’s narrative rang true at Bercy Arena

As Paris 2024 got underway, the Olympic legend’s return was going just as she had planned, until disaster struck during her first vault attempt. The ghosts of Toyko 2020 returned to haunt Simone as Team USA’s star gymnast once again faltered on the same apparatus. After her very first attempt at a triple-double, Biles understood that something was wrong with her calf muscle.

“As soon as I took off I was like, oh that hurt really bad that didn’t feel right.” Simone Biles revealed, adding, “No way that was my Achilles… I was like People are gonna think I’m quitting again.” However, the world champion had come too far to quit, and after a short consultation with coach Cecile Landi, she returned to the floor.

Although Biles returned with a slathering of athletic tape on her calf and ankle, she performed the rest of her routine. The seven-time Olympic medalist revealed in the Netflix docu-series that she had hurt her calf while preparing for Pairs. “Whenever I would land on the floor, I thought I was gonna pass out,” confessed Biles, even undergoing ‘injection’ treatment to cure the ailment.

However, despite her injury during the vault, Simone Biles’ 15.8 on vault helped Team USA secure a spot in the all-around finals. With Ron Biles and the rest of her family cheering from the stands, Biles would lead the girls of Team USA to secure gold at Paris 2024, completing her comeback.

What’s your take on the wholesome support Simone has gotten from her parents? Share in the comments.