Ahead of the behemoth Olympic Games, there’s a monumental pressure test unlike any other: the Olympic Trials. It’s where the cream of the country’s crop face off, vying for precious spots on the Olympic Team, under the watchful eyes of home crowds and loved ones. For stars like Simone Biles on a redemption journey from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Few understand this pressure as well as the gymnastics queen Simone Biles, who is on the brink of her third Olympic run, just two days away from her mission. But Biles isn’t alone in carrying the weight of a nation and their dreams; even track and field star like Noah Lyles, whose own Olympic trials coincide with the 2024 US Olympic gymnastics trials, has spoken out about the intense pressure of the Paris Olympics Trials.

Simone Biles describes the daunting pressure that comes with the Paris Olympic US Trials

After her impressive performance at the top of the All-Around standings, Simone Biles sat down with NBC Olympics & Paralympics for a post-competition interview. One intriguing moment came when Simone was asked about the immense pressure of entering the US Olympic trials and how she would describe it. The seven-time Olympic medalist Simone Biles replied, “It’s stressful. It’s heavy. I feel like a lot of us have cotton mouth because we’re so stressed out.”

She continued, “But you know, it’s one of the best pressure situations to be in going into the Olympics because I feel like if we can do this, then we can do anything.” Noah Lyles, securing his spot for Paris with a stellar 100-meter run, echoed these same sentiments as Biles at the 2024 US Track and Field Trials.

Following his impressive performance in the 100-meter finals in Tracktown, Lyles attributed his turnaround from seventh place in 2021 to first place in 2024 to improved mental health preparation. Talking about his approach, Lyles kept it laid-back in a post-race chat with NBC: “Usually, I don’t feel pressure because I’m just out there having fun. All I gotta do is be me.” The Paris Olympian for the 100m, Lyles, said, “I constantly tell kids, ‘Be yourself,’ and if people see that as being corny, shoot, I’m corny. But guess what? I’m winning while being corny.”  

Reflecting on these words, the growth of both Noah Lyles and Simone Biles since the Tokyo Olympics is astonishing. While Simone is ready to redeem herself from the “Twisties” turmoil, Lyles is chasing his first Olympic gold and hopeful for three more to add to his Tokyo bronze. As we consider their journeys, let’s also recognize other athletes who have echoed the same sentiments about Olympic trials pressure, just like Biles and Lyles.

Other USA stars who are feeling the pressure of the Paris Olympics

Sha’Carri Richardson, who just yesterday tore through the prelims round of the women’s 200m with a season-best 21.99 seconds (+0.5), making it the second-fastest time in the world this year, opened up about the Olympic trials pressure with NBC. When asked if the pressure was less now that she secured a 100-meter berth, the 100m Paris Olympian said, “Absolutely not! Any time I touch the track—Olympic trials, in Clermont, LA, anywhere I touch the track—it’s an opportunity for me to work on being my best self. So every time I touch the track, it’s pressure.”

Similarly, hurdles king Grant Holloway opened up about the intense atmosphere at the USA Track and Field Trials, calling it more nerve-wracking than the Olympics, especially with family and friends watching. He said the mental games and pressure on home soil make the trials ten times harder than the big stage. To manage this pressure, Holloway focuses on translating his excellent practice performances to the track. “Coach Mike Holloway and I, we’ve been just hammering, hammering, hammering,” he said.

Confident that a brief two-day break will boost his semi-final performance, Holloway treats each day at the trials as a fresh start. Flamingo shared, “Today is today. After that, everything’s obsolete.” Reflecting on these talented Team USA icons as they chase their Paris Olympics dreams, it’s clear that the pressure is intense, but their determination is even stronger.

What do you think about their reflections and shared experiences on their Olympic journeys? Share your thoughts below!