Ready to return to action, after making peace with the twisties that mortified her.
Simone Biles, 26, the great queen of gymnastics in the United States, the most awarded, seven-time Olympic medalist, among many other achievements, returns this Saturday to compete on behalf of her club, the World Champion Center.
The date is in Chicago and he plans to participate in all four competitions. It seemed that she would never compete again, but here this little woman returns, a giant in endurance and perseverance, not only in the jump, on the floor, the uneven bars or the balance. No, she made it to the top despite the trauma of being one of hundreds of female athletes sexually assaulted by the federation’s doctor, Larry Nassar, who was sentenced to life in prison for allegations by Biles and many others partners.
The last time she was seen in action was at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, held in 2021 after being postponed due to the pandemic. He arrived in the Japanese capital with the halo of maximum favourite, waiting to break records. But Biles caved. She withdrew from two finals and was far below her level due to psychological problems, she explained in desolation. He assured that he suffered from a “mental block” when doing the twisties or turns in the air, the routine tombarelles.
Her failure caused many, especially those who dislike her shiny black skin, to resent her failure. His achievements, nothing equal in the history of this practice in the US, did not prevent the insults.
Although she didn’t say it, many thought she had retired and was starting a new life outside of gyms. This spring she married Jonathan Owens, an American football player.
However, with a year to go before the Paris Games, which is being interpreted as quite a statement of intent, Biles will be put to the test this weekend. Without great aspirations, he will try to see if his physique responds and can reach the level that allowed him to hang four Olympic golds, including the so-called all-around title in 2016, in Rio de Janeiro.
In principle, everything indicated that he would only participate in colt jumping, a specialty that does not require as much training as other specialties. Analysts believe Biles wants to test herself. “No pressure, just enjoy the experience”, said Cecile Landi, one of her coaches. A statement that doesn’t prevent her entry into competition leading to the deduction that Biles still feels that she is a force in national and international gymnastics.
“I was petrified, but I’m doing twisties again. Everything is going well”, declared the gymnast this week in a press conference through Instagram. “Although it took me more than a year, I have already overcome the initial fear. It is a physical and mental issue, but I have overcome it”, he stressed. At the moment he does not clarify whether he will fight to qualify for Paris. Too early.