Seven-time Olympic medalist Simone Biles is planning to return to elite competition for the first time since she bowed out of the 2020 Tokyo Games, which were held in 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Biles stepped away from competition, citing concerns over her mental health, and has not competed. In the time since, she joined several teammates in testifying on Capitol Hill about the abuse she and others suffered at the hands of former team doctor Larry Nassar. The 26-year-old gymnast also recently married Green Bay Packers strong safety Jonathan Owens.
But according to ESPN, the once-reigning champion plans to compete at the U.S. Classic in early August – just one year ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.
Simone Biles plans to compete at the U.S. Classic in early August, her first event since the 2020 Tokyo Olympics 🙌 pic.twitter.com/avQHZN5Yxi
— ESPN (@espn) June 28, 2023
USA Gymnastics confirmed the news on Wednesday, announcing that Biles would be entered into the women’s field for the U.S. Classic, which is scheduled to take place on August 4-5 at Chicago’s NOW Arena.
Several of Biles’ teammates from Tokyo will also be entered in Chicago, including Tokyo all-around champion Sunisa Lee – who took home two gold medals from the 2020 Games. Jade Carey and Jordan Chiles, who also competed in Tokyo, are slated to compete as well.
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Biles was the biggest name in gymnastics for years, shocking the world when she announced just after her first competition that she would be sitting out the rest of the Tokyo Games.
“Simone has withdrawn from the team final competition due to a medical issue,” U.S.A. Gymnastics said in a statement at the time. “She will be assessed daily to determine medical clearance for future competitions.”
Biles later revealed that she had suffered from a condition known in gymnastics as “the twisties” — which causes athletes to lose track of where they are during aerial twists and flips and can potentially result in serious injury.
“It’s so dangerous,” Biles said of her experience in Tokyo. “It’s basically life or death. It’s a miracle I landed on my feet. If that was any other person, they would have gone out on a stretcher. As soon as I landed that vault, I went and told my coach: ‘I cannot continue.'”