Coming off of her historic, record-setting comeback in 2023, 7-time Olympic medalist and 30-time (23 gold) World Medalist Simone Biles is set to make her 2024 season debut at the Core Hydration Classic. For Biles, this isn’t just another competition; every meet is a culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice. So, as one more competition draws right around the corner, Biles is dedicated to making some sacrifices.

Among these sacrifices is her commitment to core hydration, a crucial element in maintaining peak performance. This is because the 2024 Core Hydration tournament will be especially grueling. In the upcoming competition, three U.S. Olympic All-around gold medalists—Gabby Douglas, Simone Biles, and Suni Lee will compete head-to-head. Naturally, Biles is striving to be in top form for the challenge.

Recently Simone Biles’ shared a series of pictures on her Instagram story of an intimate gathering with her coaches and family in Hartford. There, Biles was seen abstaining from all alcoholic beverages captioning, “I’m having a mocktail”. She was also joined by her husband Jonathan Owens and hinted at enjoying an ice cream. Additionally, she posed for a picture with Jonathan in her next story. While others enjoyed a lemony boozy drink, Biles chose something different. Likely because of the Core Hydration tournament that is set to take place today.

Even Biles’ ex-coach and WCC program director, Cecile Landi, posted about the event in a story of the WCC team undergoing podium training before today’s tournament. Biles will face formidable opponents in the competition. The Core Hydration classics are especially important this year due to the Paris Olympics. They are a stepping stone to being selected for the US women’s gymnastics team.

Biles is vying for a position as she was heard saying, “The 2024 Olympics is definitely on my radar. I’m not going to count out 2024. You just have to be patient with me and accept me for who I am.” Though Biles and her opponents have already qualified for the Xfinity U.S. Championships in Fort Worth, Texas, later this month, Classics are still an important stage to prove yourself on.

Simone Biles is no stranger to making sacrifices for her sport

This year, Simone Biles and her coach Cecile Landi are primarily focusing on Biles’ mental health and physical well-being. This seems to be the reason why she abstained from alcohol and partying at Baumann’s birthday bash. Biles said in a previous interview, “I’m not trying to make a comeback. I’m trying to get back to what I love to do, but in a healthier way. It’s not going to be easy, but it’s going to be worth it at the end of the day.” Since CHC is the first competition of the year and comes just after her win at the World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium, all eyes will be on her.

Additionally, competing on the mat will be Suni Lee who is the reigning Olympic all-around champion. Lee has been teasing a new and improved routine for months and will be tough competition. Even Gabby Douglas will be present. Douglas made a comeback at the American Classic and qualified for the U.S. Championships, aiming to earn a spot on her third Olympic team. Biles told Le Monde, “’I’m getting old and I have more to lose.” This builds up pressure and requires sacrificing a little bit of fun. But Biles is not unfamiliar with that.

Biles’ whole life has revolved around gymnastics. At the age of 14, she gave up her friends and school life to be homeschooled. Just so that she could train for 30 hours a week. She even made the trip year after year to the Karolyi ranch to train. Up next, Biles is aiming for a spot amongst the five-member team heading to Paris for the 2024 Summer Olympics. Now that Biles has sacrificed so many things, what is one drink on the face of it?

Simone Biles’ path to the 2024 Paris Olympics begins Saturday.

The iconic U.S. gymnast will make her season debut at the 2024 U.S. Classic in Hartford, Connecticut this weekend, where she will headline a star-studded field that is scheduled to feature each of the past three Olympic all-around champions.

The 27-year-old Biles, who won Olympic gold in 2016, returned to competitive gymnastics last year after a nearly two-year hiatus following the Tokyo Olympics. She went on to win four gold medals at the 2023 world championships.

Biles will be joined in this weekend’s field by Tokyo champion Suni Lee and 2012 gold medalist Gabby Douglas, who is making an audacious comeback attempt of her own after nearly eight years away from the sport.

Here’s everything else you need to know about the U.S. Classic:

When is the 2024 U.S. Classic?

While the U.S. Classic takes place both Friday and Saturday at the XL Center in downtown Hartford, most fans will be interested in the final session of competition Saturday night, when Biles, Douglas, Lee and other Olympic hopefuls will all compete. That session runs from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. ET.

How to watch the 2024 U.S. Classic

Biles’ session of competition will be televised live on CNBC and can also be streamed on Peacock. NBC will also run a show recapping all the highlights from the U.S. Classic at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday.

Gabby Douglas, Suni Lee among other big names at 2024 U.S. Classic

Besides Biles, the two biggest names in the field are undoubtedly Douglas and Lee.

Douglas, 28, made her season debut at the American Classic in Texas last month, where she struggled at times but nevertheless qualified to compete in three events at the national championships in roughly two weeks. She will need to amass 51 points across all four events Saturday to qualify for all-around competition at nationals.

Lee, the reigning Olympic gold medalist, has already competed twice this year after an unspecified kidney issue hampered the end of her 2023 campaign. She has said she’s now in remission and has her eyes on a return trip to the Olympic Games in Paris this summer.

Who else is competing at the 2024 U.S. Classic?

Shilese Jones, an all-around medalist at the last two world championships, is also slated to compete Saturday, as are the other three members of the team that won a seventh consecutive world title for the U.S. last fall: Skye Blakely, Joscelyn Roberson and Leanne Wong.

Two veterans of the 2021 Olympic team, floor gold medalist Jade Carey and Jordan Chiles, will be among the other familiar faces at the event.

Will Simone Biles compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics?

Almost certainly, yes — though nothing is official just yet.

Hartford, Connecticut, is getting ready for the clash of the gymnastic titans at the Core Hydration Classic! For the first time in history, the event brings three former all-around Olympic champions (Gabby Douglas, Simone Biles, and Sunisa Lee) together on the floor. The world got to see a first glimpse of the fierce ladies this season as they came out for the podium training ahead of the event. With all the actions, one might only feel like saying, “Let the games begin…Are you ready for it?” Thus said Simone Biles. No, she did not spell out the Taylor Swift lyric in any social media post. Let’s clear the air!

A recent post on X by the official Gymnastics Now gave a sneak peek at Simone Biles’ warm-up for the floor routine at the XL Center. Her impeccable moves are the obvious stunner in the accompanying clip. But something that also could not be missed is the music in the background. The tune and the beats complementing Simone’s routine are very similar to that of Taylor Swift’s “…Ready For It?

Noting that the post reads, “Seems fitting we get a little Taylor Swift moment in Simone’s new floor set.” For Simone Biles, the Core Hydration Classic will mark her debut for the 2024 season. Alongside, it will also be the beginning of the journey towards her third Olympic quest. The event is a qualifier for the upcoming 2024 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships, which will ultimately pick the participants for the Olympic qualifiers in Minneapolis in June. While we still don’t know if the track will be the final background number when Biles takes to the floor, a touch of Taylor Swift on such an important journey once again brings up Simone’s long association with the pop icon.

The awareness regarding mental health issues in sports was before the Tokyo Olympics as well. However, Simone Biles bowing out from the 2021 Olympics because of her ‘twisties’ (a rare situation when body and mind are not in sync while trying high-level elements) added a voice to it. At the time, several athletes backed her decision to move out of the Olympic village.

One such support came from Alex Bowen, a Team USA member from the men’s water polo team. In his acknowledgment, the athlete said, “To be able to overcome your own ego and step aside, that’s huge.” Once again, Simone Biles has received similar cheering for her stand in the Tokyo Olympics, but this time, it has come from one of her opponents in the 2021 Games. But the context remains the same – Olympic participation with a notwithstanding mental state.

Simone Biles inspires fellow gymnasts irrespective of sides 

Italian gymnast Vanessa Ferrari is on her fifth Olympic endeavor, eyeing a fitting end to her career through an achievement from the Parisian contest. Even so, with such a goal in mind, she can side with her mental well-being if there comes any question regarding it, defying her target. In her recent conversation with the Olympics. com, the veteran informed, “I want to be competitive. I am the first to say that if I am not in the right form, I do not want to go.” Surprisingly, Vanessa Ferrari can think of taking such a step after getting inspired by Simone Biles in the Tokyo Olympics. There remains a riveting backstory.

In the Tokyo Olympics, Vanessa Ferrari defeated Simone Biles in the qualification round of floor exercise. But she remained sympathetic when Simone informed her about the decision to withdraw from the contest. However, Vanessa Ferrari had supported Simone Biles’ step then.

Furthermore, after equalizing her status with the American opponent, Vanessa elaborated, “If you struggle with disorientation in the air, it can be very scary.” Eventually, in the same floor exercise in Tokyo, Ferrari achieved her target to earn an Olympic medal. Three years later, she is putting effort into changing her medal color. But on the question of mental state, she stands firm on her Paris Olympics participation. But what did Simone Biles carry out in Tokyo that even after these years her stand echoes in the annals of sports?

The issues keep repeating despite brave standings 

Before Simone Biles could speak out about the niggling mental state in continuing the sports, Micheal Phelps put a volume on it in the 2020 documentary The Weight of Gold. The most decorated Olympian had blamed the excessive pressure of expectations from the fans that harmed. The same tone echoed in Japanese gymnast, Mai Murakami’s statement, who felt evaporated despite winning the bronze medal in Tokyo, fearing the criticism from her countrymen. However, Simone jotted down these points and proved that athletes are “still human.”

Talking about the criticism part, Simone Biles grieved over the fact of coming under public scrutiny bearing the mountainous pressure of being the face of the nation in high-level competitions. Protesting such condemnation, she said, “People have no idea what is going on behind the scenes, and just judge us from our social media.” In her conversation in the Call Her Daddy podcast as well, Simone Biles described the public criticism part in length.

Simone Biles was expected to bring another gold medal from the Olympics. But her exit from the game might not have been received positively. “I thought I was gonna be banned from America. Because that’s what they tell you; don’t come back. If it’s not gold, gold or bust, don’t come back,”  she described in that podcast. This part remains the same.

While measuring her path to the Paris Olympics, Vanessa Ferrari is fighting with her age, physical boundaries, and form. These factors are competent enough to harm the confidence level that may double the pressure from expectations of representing the country. Now, as the Paris Olympics occasion is inching closer, Vanessa may prefer fewer issues with mental health.

After stepping back from most events at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics at the age of 24, Simone Biles bounced back in 2023 with remarkable success. At the World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium last year where she first made her mark, Biles clinched the title of the most decorated gymnast ever.

Simone Biles’ longtime personal coach, Cecile Landi decided to take a new role as the head coach for Georgia’s women’s gymnastics team, leaving World Champions Centre where she has been working since 2017. Recently, Landi joined the podcast, “All Things Gymnastics,” where she discussed the reactions of her athletes to this announcement about leaving WCC. Interestingly, her remarks also hinted at the possibility of Simone Biles’ retirement.

Speculation surrounding Simone Biles’ retirement

Cecile Landi will join the GymDogs after the Paris Olympics, while Laurent Landi, her husband will remain at the World Champions Centre for the next year. A podcast hosted by Brittany Buhler,  welcomed Cecile, a 1996 Olympian from France. When asked if she was excited about her new role, Landi candidly expressed a mix of emotions, conveying both excitement and a tinge of sadness.

She revealed, ‘I’ve been wanting to do this but, you know, also sad… It’s all good.’ However, what perhaps intrigued listeners even more was Landi’s reactions to the athletes, particularly those aged 20-24. Reflecting on their response, she shared, ‘The 20-24 are like, okay, I’m leaving, she’s leaving. It’s all good.’

Cecile Landi further said about her senior gymnast’s reaction, revealing, “The 25 are like, okay, at least I get Laurent for one more year.” This statement subtly acknowledges the trend of elite female gymnasts retiring by their early to mid-twenties. Speculation naturally arises as to whether her remarks might be about Simone Biles who is 27.

In contrast, Simone Biles hasn’t officially declared retirement. She mentioned, last year in September, after overcoming twisties that led to a two-year break, “I haven’t retired though.” As per Olympics.com, Biles had previously suggested that the Tokyo Games might mark her final appearance.

Nevertheless, she wasn’t prepared to retire just yet with the Tokyo Games not going as expected. The ongoing speculation lingers about whether the Paris Olympics might mark her final competitive appearance. If so, she is poised to make history in gymnastics as she is preparing to perform the hardest vault move.

Biles set to make history

Biles has already qualified for the Paris Olympics and is putting in the work, especially focusing on mastering the most challenging vault in women’s gymnastics – the Yurchenko double pike. Last year, Biles made history at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships by becoming the first woman to successfully execute the Yurchenko double pike, a daring move, and it was named “The Biles II” after that.

It’s worth noting, that she has earned the distinction of having five moves named after her in the international rule book. Among these moves are one on the balance beam, two on the floor exercise, and two on the vault. The Biles II, in particular, involves a backflip off the vault followed by two full rotations in a pike position before landing—a feat that requires exceptional strength, precision, and courage.

Last year, when Biles executed the Yurchenko double pike, it earned a remarkable score of 15.766 despite voluntarily taking a half-point deduction so that coach Laurent Landi could stand on the mat as a precaution. As she prepares to show her skills again, the possibility of acing the vault without this deduction looms, potentially rewriting history and solidifying her legacy as one of the greatest gymnasts ever.

In the gymnastics world, where flips and somersaults reign supreme, you might think the toughest challenge is perfecting that triple twist. But for Simone Biles, the real hurdles began long before she stepped onto the mat. It was when she hardly understood the world. Her family journey was filled with ups and downs.

Biles faced challenges as a young child due to her mother Shannon’s struggles with addiction. While she shared a great bond with her siblings, they were separated when their mother’s situation forced them to be placed in foster care. However, the sun finally shined upon them when their maternal grandfather, Ron Biles, and his wife Nellie stepped in to care for them temporarily in Spring, Texas. Despite the troubles with the family, the four siblings shared a strong bond. Let’s delve deeper into their relationship.

Everything to know about Simone Biles’ siblings

Biles has three siblings – Adria Biles, Ashley Biles Thomas, and brother Tevin Biles-Thomas. The four children of Shannon Biles and Kelvin Clemons were later adopted by other family members. Ron and Nellie adopted the youngest siblings, Simone and Adria, while Ron’s sister Harriet adopted Ashley and Tevin, who remained in Cleveland, Ohio.

Despite these tough beginnings, Simone became one of the greatest gymnasts of all time. Adria was also inspired by her sister and pursued gymnastics at a young age. The champ competed at the junior elite level before switching her focus to dentistry. Out of all four, Simone and Adria share an exceptionally strong bond. They are not only sisters but also best friends. From Houston stars to Biles and Owen’s wedding, Adria stood by Simone’s side. However, champion older siblings, Ashley and Tevin, face the opposite. Simone’s relationship with Ashley and Tevin is less close than her bond with Adria. Take a look at how.

The unbreakable bond between Simone and Adria

According to People, both Simone and Adria Biles are often mistaken for twins because of their similar facial features. But, they are not twins. Growing up together, both sisters cum besties developed a passion for gymnastics. Adria has always looked up to Simone as a motherly figure and became an elite gymnast for ten years.  Following the legend‘s footsteps in the gym, life, and the mat, the bond seen in the pictures and reality is the same. In an op-ed for ESPN, Adria reminisced about their fearless childhood antics and Simone’s natural leadership.

Before their adoption by their grandparents, the Biles sisters spent three years in foster care, a period that strengthened Simone’s protective instincts towards Adria. This deep bond continued to grow under the loving care of their grandparents, whom Simone now considers her parents. Adria, in turn, has always admired Simone for her humility, kindness, and strength, especially during challenging times like the Tokyo Olympics when she faced mental health struggles. The younger sister has supported Simone throughout and it was evident when she publicly defended her decision to prioritize her mental health over competing in the 2020 Olympics finals.

Both of them have also experienced a taste of the spotlight due to their resemblance and Adria’s participation in the reality show “Claim to Fame.” She often shares stories of mistaken identity and the humorous situations that arise from it, highlighting the differences that set them apart despite their similar looks. However, the relationship looks different with Biles’s rest of the siblings.

The legal troubles faced by Biles’s brother

While Simone and Adria have thrived in their respective fields, their brother Tevin Biles-Thomas has faced significant legal challenges. Tevin was arrested in connection with a triple murder case. Although he was later acquitted due to a lack of evidence, this incident brought considerable attention to the Biles family, highlighting the stark contrast between Simone’s and Tevin’s lives.

Ashley Biles-Thomas, the eldest sibling, has also encountered legal issues, including multiple arrests stemming from assault and driving under the influence. Despite the challenges on the personal front and her strained ties with her biological parents as well as some of her siblings, Simone continues to focus on her career and her marriage to Jonathan Owens. She also continues to support where she can while navigating the complexities of her own dynamics.

The Biles family story is one of resilience and overcoming adversity. Simone’s journey from foster care to becoming an Olympic champion is nothing short of inspirational. Through all the ups and downs, the Biles sisters remain united, showcasing the unbreakable spirit that has defined their lives.

Following her withdrawal from most events at the Tokyo Olympics due to “Twisties”, Simone Biles made a triumphant return that has only added to her repertoire. Her Tokyo journey sparked global conversations about the importance of prioritizing physical and mental health in elite sports. Following a hiatus of two years and two days, Biles made a comeback in August 2023, clinching her eighth all-around individual national title in a decade.

Subsequently, in October 2023, she secured her sixth individual world title in Antwerp, Belgium. As she now gears up for the Paris Olympics, the gymnastics community speculates on whether Biles would have pursued participation in Paris had the “twisties “episode in Tokyo not occurred.

Was retirement looming for Simone Biles after the Tokyo Olympics?

Simone Biles shattered records and defied expectations throughout her career. Becoming the first African-American woman to clinch the US gymnastics championship at just 16 years old in 2013 marked the beginning of her meteoric rise. Since then, Biles has amassed an astonishing collection of accolades, including seven Olympic medals–four of them gold–from her stellar performance at the Rio Olympics in 2016. When Simone Biles pulled out from the Tokyo Olympics at 24 due to the twisties, since then speculation arose about her retirement.

Age is a critical factor in gymnastics, where athletes often retire at this age. Had twisties not occurred, Biles, now 27, might not have pursued the Paris Olympics, potentially opting for retirement. Despite uncertainties, Biles’s acknowledgment of the challenges of aging in the sport resonates, prompting discussions about her future and leaving room for speculation, even among Reddit users, about what could have been if the twisties hadn’t intervened.

Insights from Reddit users on Biles’ Olympic trajectory

Amidst the multitude of speculations surrounding Simone Biles’ potential participation in the Paris Olympics, several Reddit user comments stood out for their insightful perspectives. One fan mused, reflecting on the timing and circumstances, “I don’t know tbh. I think if it had been in 2020 and no Covid probably no, but it being 2021 and less than three years away was probably less of a psychological ‘OMG I can’t face another quad’ barrier.” The fan suggested that the presence of Covid-19 in 2020 could have made participation less likely and this was the allusion needed to cement Biles’ possible return.

Another commenter recalled Biles’s pre-Tokyo sentiments about retirement, stating, “She said before Tokyo that she wanted to retire after Tokyo but was considering coming back for Paris in honor of her French coaches.” This observation underscores the significance of personal connections and professional relationships in shaping Biles’ potential Olympic journey.

One user highlighted the challenges Biles faced during the Tokyo quad, “During the Tokyo quad she was dealing with the aftermath of abuse and the usag scandals and wasn’t finding much joy in the sport, but it seems that she was happier after the quad ended. All of this probably made it easier for her to make the comeback she had previously considered.” They speculated that the post-Olympic period brought positive changes, such as new USAG leadership and personal milestones, which may have reignited Biles’ enthusiasm for competition.

In contrast, another commenter hinted at the possibility of retirement had Tokyo unfolded differently, noting, “It wouldn’t have shocked me if she’d retired had Tokyo worked out the way she expected.“. This perspective suggests that Biles may have been inclined to step away from gymnastics had her Tokyo experience aligned with her expectations.

Finally, a concise yet poignant remark encapsulated a prevailing sentiment: “No. It seemed like she wanted to be done after Tokyo.” This observation echoes Biles’s own statements about considering retirement, indicating that regardless of external factors, her desire to conclude her gymnastics career after Tokyo was palpable. In essence, these user comments offer a multifaceted view of the complex considerations and emotional dynamics surrounding Simone Biles’ potential Olympic trajectory.

Simone Biles to perform at Austin’s Moody Center this fall

The Moody Center in Austin will be one of 30 U.S. arenas to host the Gold Over America Tour — also wittily referred to as GOAT.

The Moody Center will welcome GOAT on Friday, October 18 − where Texans will have the chance to see Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history, perform daring stunts and tumbles.

What is the Gold Over America Tour?

A press release describes Gold Over America as “an exhilarating display of jaw-dropping athleticism and high-energy choreography with an inspirational message of hope, strength, resilience, and determination.”

Following the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, America’s top gymnasts will perform live in 30 arenas across the U.S. According to its site, GOAT is a “pop concert-style spectacle” that “will showcase the athletic brilliance and championship journeys of Biles and cast members.”

“From the world’s stage to the GOAT stage, this incredible journey continues, and I can’t wait for fans to see what we have in store this year,” Biles says. “I love creating unforgettable memories for our audiences every night on tour.”

Where can I buy tickets for the Gold Over America Tour?

Tickets are available now for gymnastic groups and clubs and will be offered to the general public on Friday, May 17.

How long is the GOAT show?

The performance is expected to last 110 minutes, including intermission.

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