Simone Biles Wins Gold In 1st Comp in Two Years

Simone Biles has earned the gold medal in gymnastics in her first competition in two years, heading straight for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

She finished first in vault, floor and balance beam events, however for the uneven bars routine, she finished third.

During the event, she also debuted the rarely completed Yurchenko double pike on vault, earning her the highest score of the day, 15.4.

“🥇 🥇 🥇 🥇 🥇 gold medals for WCC."

This meet marked her first appearance since the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, after she suffered the "twisties," which is where the gymnast loses control of their body while spinning through the air during a trick.

“It felt really good [getting back out there], especially after everything that happened over the past year. So, everyone that was cheering, made posters in the crowd and all of that, it made my heart melt that they still believe in me. I got back out here and did what I was training, so I’m very happy with the result.”

“After everything that transpired in Tokyo, I took a lot [of time and] I worked on myself. I still do therapy weekly and it’s just been so exciting to come out here and have the confidence I had before that after everything that happened. … I feel like I lost a part of [having widespread support] sometimes and to come back here and do what I did tonight and have that support from the fans and everybody watching, I just couldn’t thank them enough.”

“I worked a lot on myself and I believe in myself a little bit more, it’s just coming back out here and starting those first steps again."

During the comp, the crowd sheered loudly every time she showed off her skills. Simone even broke out some silly dance moves after sticking her landings.

“That’s just a joke! I always do it in the gym and the girls were like, ‘If you land your vault, please do it.' I almost forgot until Jordan [Chiles, my teammate] reminded me, but it’s just something to keep the girls fun and we can all laugh at and just enjoy each other.”

“So far [I’m] heading in the right direction,” she said noting her primary focus has been the comp and the U.S. National Championships.

She now qualifies for nationals which begin on August 24th, but she's "still gonna put myself first” and prioritise self-improvement.

She even had the support of husband Jonathan Owens, who plays for the Green Bay Packers football team, while he was at NFL training camp.

“Y’all know my wife [handled] business too, what a special night ❤️."