Many anticipate Team USA will rely on Simone Biles to secure yet another Olympic gold. Gearing up for the big event, the nation’s most decorated gymnast has been making waves in every tournament she has participated in throughout 2024. As the reigning All-Around World Champion, the stakes are exceptionally high, with the opportunity to set the record straight on the horizon. Although some fans have reservations about Biles overcoming her twisties from three years ago, she is not lacking in support.

The recently released Netflix docu-series Simone Biles: Rising has created waves in the gymnastics community, offering insights into Biles’ struggles at the Tokyo Olympics and her decision to withdraw from the finals. The documentary chronicles Simone Biles’ journey from the depths of nervousness to reclaiming her confidence. Director Katie Walsh believes prioritizing her mental health over her responsibilities was the right decision.

Another fan announces her place in Simone Biles’ corner

Earlier today, Walsh appeared in an interview with WGN News, uploaded on YouTube, to talk about her experience of working closely with Biles. “There was a lot of pressure on her Tokyo, that is undeniable,” Walsh makes it clear from the get-go before sharing her take on Simone Biles’ decision at the last Games. Katie notes that dishing out victorious performances has “…very little to do with your physical abilities,” while the mental state becomes the decisive factor.

Walsh noted that the “COVID Olympics” was a very different affair than other editions of the tournament and that Biles faced unique challenges compared to her peers. Referring to Biles’ controversial call of opting to ditch the Tokyo finals, Katie stated, “She did the absolute right thing by pulling out.” To justify her take on the matter, Katie claimed that things could have taken a devastating turn if Simone Biles went on to perform ignoring the squeamish feeling.

Walsh’s words seemed to convince the show’s hosts, who also asserted that Simone Biles’ achievements did not necessitate her return to competition. Nonetheless, as Biles prepares to lead Team USA’s gymnastics efforts at the upcoming Games, she continues to receive widespread praise for her determination to reclaim the top spot.

Biles finds vehement support from her near and dear ones

The Netflix documentary also highlighted how Biles’ mother, Nellie, offered unwavering support when Simone Biles left the arena to call her after struggling with a basic vault routine. “I don’t want you going out there if you’re not in a good place, and you don’t need to go out there and hurt yourself. That’s just not right,” Nellie comforted her daughter from halfway across the world, advising her to prioritize her well-being over national expectations. “You need to take care of yourself, okay?” Simone Biles’ mom wasn’t the one to mince her words.

Alongside Nellie and Walsh, Biles also received tremendous support from her husband, NFL star Jonathan Owens, during her redemption journey. Owens believed that the challenges Biles faced in Tokyo were crucial for her personal growth. “You can’t grow if you don’t go through stuff,” Owens remarked in the first episode of the Netflix series. With so many people placing their confidence in Simone Biles’ ability to make the right decisions, do you believe she will finally emerge from her shell and assert her dominance in the French capital? Share your thoughts on what you think she has in store for the big event in the comments below!