Simone Biles spent years working on her mental health after Tokyo. It’s made her an unstoppable force in Paris. | CNN (2024)

Simone Biles spent years working on her mental health after Tokyo. It’s made her an unstoppable force in Paris. | CNN (1)

Simone Biles celebrates after competing in the vault final on Saturday.

Paris CNN

The last few years of therapy and mental health work have turned Simone Biles into one of the most unstoppable forces in Paris during these Summer Olympics.

With an absolute blow-away performance in the vault, Biles now has three gold medals to take home to Texas – and she still has a chance for two more. With an average score of 15.300, Biles took home the gold easily over silver medalist Rebeca Andrade – the defending Olympic champion in the event. The bronze medal went to American Jade Carey, who completed her own comeback story from a disappointing showing in the vault in Tokyo.

Biles, who has talked about the importance of taking care of her mental health during these Games after each of her golden performances, has said she’s speaking with her therapist every morning before competition and religiously every Thursday.

“After all these years of putting in the mental work in, it’s paid off. So I’m super excited to be on this stage again,” Biles said Saturday after winning her latest gold.

A huge roar went up for Biles as her name was introduced at the beginning of the competition, as the pressure was heaped on her shoulders once again.

But unlike three years ago, when she suffered a case of the “twisties” and realized that her mind was not in the right place to carry the expectations thrust upon her, she met the moment with aplomb.

She took off toward the vault like a shot and absolutely nailed an extremely difficult Yurchenko double pike, also known as Biles II. She bounced on the landing and stayed standing tall.

The score was huge: 15.700. A 9.400 score on execution and a 6.400 on difficulty, but a 0.1 point penalty because her foot hit the line on the vault’s landing mat.

Biles’ twisting, flipping second effort – a Cheng vault that sees her shooting off like a bottle rocket on Fourth of July – was stuck perfectly in the center of the mat.

She surged into first place with an average score of 15.300, after her second vault was scored a 14.900. She set a lofty standard, more than a point clear of second place in the early going.

It was a throwing down of the gauntlet to Andrade, who did her best to match.

The 2020 Olympic gold medalist matched Biles’ Cheng vault, twisting and turning through the air while doing two flips. Andrade’s first vault scored a 15.100 — higher than Biles’ Cheng.

Her second effort was really, really good but it just wasn’t good enough to beat Biles. Andrade’s second vault scored high for execution – 9.433 – but her difficulty marks dragged her down. That’s what Biles can do that others simply can’t: Ramp up the difficulty and the execution.

In the end, it wasn’t even close. Biles is just performing on a different level at these Games. Andrade had been pushing Biles throughout the week, especially in the individual all-around on Thursday, but the American great has just been too much.

It’s been a long journey for Biles, from a 19-year-old superstar bursting onto the scene in Rio de Janeiro eight years ago, to the depths of despair at the Tokyo Games. But here in the City of Lights, Biles has truly shined the brightest of all.

The work on her mental health has not stopped as Biles runs rampant through Paris. She said she’s seen her therapist while at the Olympics and is going day-by-day to see if she needs extra sessions.

“The Olympics is such a draining process for the athletes. It’s multiple days of competitions so you definitely have to be on top of your mental as well as your physical,” she said, “so as long as we’re doing that then we’re good.”

And despite her scores of achievements, there are still people online who are making crass comments about Biles. But she notices they’re getting quieter and quieter.

“Obviously, the negative comments, they’re painful after a certain point,” she said. “They hurt, but I’m still in therapy working on all that stuff to just make sure my mental health is well. But they’re really quiet now, so that’s strange.”

Simone Biles spent years working on her mental health after Tokyo. It’s made her an unstoppable force in Paris. | CNN (2024)

FAQs

What did Simone Biles do after the Olympics? ›

As is typical after an Olympics, Biles will go on tour with other gymnasts. The Gold Over America tour will travel to 30 U.S. cities this fall, with fellow Team USA gymnasts Jade Carey, Jordan Chiles, Fred Richard, Brody Malone, Paul Juda and Stephen Nedoroscik in tow.

What did Simone Biles do to help people? ›

Biles helps people by talking about her struggles

This transparency helps individuals who are struggling. It also normalizes prioritizing our mental health, reducing the stigma, shame and isolation that surround mental illness.

What did Simone Biles do to change the world? ›

Notably, at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Biles became the first female U.S. gymnast to win four gold medals at a single Games, and she was the first gymnast to win six world all-around titles (2013–15, 2018–19, 2023). She has also won an unprecedented 30 world championship medals, of which 23 are gold.

What were Simone Biles' accomplishments? ›

Besides tying a number of other world records, she set a new American record for most gold medals in gymnastics at a single Olympics Games. Between her performances at the Olympics and in World Championship competition, she has won 19 medals, making her the most decorated American gymnast of all time.

Did Simone Biles leave Paris? ›

Simone Biles is leaving the 2024 Paris Olympics on a high note. The 27-year-old gymnast, who is taking home three gold medals and one silver, had the honor of carrying the Olympic flag during the Sunday, Aug. 11 closing ceremony.

What did Simone Biles win at Paris in 2024? ›

Simone Biles cements her status as the greatest of all time

Then, in Paris, she led the US to a brilliant gymnastics team gold, before securing individual golds in the all-around and vault competitions as well as a silver on floor.

What does Simone Biles teach us? ›

Biles' example teaches us that it's OK to take a step back, reflect, and prioritize our mental health, that doing so is not a sign of weakness but a mark of true strength, a vital companion to extraordinary perseverance and to our long-term success. Leaders in education and other fields can learn from Biles.

What positive things has Simone Biles done? ›

Biles is the most decorated gymnast of all-time and America's golden girl. She uses her platform to normalize discussions about mental health and opened the topic to widespread conversation at the Tokyo Games when she pulled out of some events over concern about her headspace.

What impact has Simone Biles had on the world? ›

Biles has also earned more national titles and more world championship medals than any man or woman in history, with a combined total of 41 world and Olympic medals, and is the only gymnast to win two Olympic all-around titles in nonconsecutive Games.

Why is Simone Biles a hero? ›

Biles was one of the first athletes to openly talk about her mental well-being and help show that athletes are human, too. She was able to open up to many Americans and bring light to an issue that I believe many people might struggle with.

What is Simone Biles' favorite color? ›

My favorite color is purple.

What is Simone Biles' famous quote? ›

Hard days are the best because that's when champions are made. Simone Biles, the renowned gymnast and Olympic champion, once said, "Hard days are the best because that's when champions are made." This profound quote encapsulates the essence of true champions and their relentless pursuit of greatness.

How old was Simone Biles in 2013? ›

Too young to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics, Biles skyrocketed to fame in 2013. At just 16, she clinched two gold medals at the Antwerp Championship, including the coveted all-around title.

What is Simone Biles vertical jump? ›

How high can Simone Biles jump? At the U.S. Olympic Trials in June, the top of Biles' head got as high as 12 feet above the surface on one of the jumps during her floor exercise routine, NBC Sports calculated.

Will Simone Biles be in the 2024 Olympics? ›

Simone Biles is done competing at Paris 2024: "I've accomplished way more than in my wildest dreams" It was the question that lingered ahead of Paris 2024: How would Simone Biles handle the Olympic stage again three years after Tokyo 2020 in 2021? Just fine, it turned out. In fact, more than fine.

What event did Simone Biles do? ›

Balance Beam Final (August 3, 2021): Biles made a triumphant return to competition in the balance beam final to claim the bronze medal.

How much has Simone Biles made from the Olympics? ›

Those earning silver get $22,500 while those earning bronze get $15,000. That means Biles is in line for $135,000 just for making the podium four times over. That does not account for any related sponsorship deals or, say, income from the Netflix series “Simone Biles Rising” that debuted days ahead of the Olympics.

Is Simone Biles done with gymnastics? ›

Three years after she dropped out of the Tokyo Games with a mental block, she is back at the Olympics with a defiant attitude — and a sense of where she is in the air. Simone Biles aims for her second gymnastics all-around title. Follow live updates from the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Is Simone Biles at the closing of the Olympics? ›

During the 2024 Olympics Closing Ceremony, Simone Biles helped Paris hand over the games to Los Angeles for 2028 alongside Tom Cruise and L.A. mayor Karen Bass. Simone Biles wasn't among the Team USA members who walked in the Closing Ceremony procession.

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