Simone Biles Makes a Dominant Return to Gymnastics with Three Gold Medals

Simone Biles showcases her floor exercise routine at the U.S. Classic in Hoffman Estates, Ill. on Saturday August 5, 2023. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

By: Adonis Armstrong

Simone Biles made a triumphant return to competitive gymnastics at the U.S. Classic, also known as the Core Hydration Classic in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, marking her first competition since the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, where she took a bronze medal in the beam event before withdrawing from the Team All-Around due to the "Twisties." After the tournament, Biles announced an extended hiatus from competition.

"After everything that transpired in Tokyo, the amount of outpouring of love and support that I had on Twitter, on Instagram and in the arena was just really shocking and surprising to me that they still have so much belief in me," Biles stated. "They still love me, and it just makes my heart warm. Especially in a time like this where I was really nervous to compete again."

Over the weekend, Simone Biles made her much-anticipated return to competition after the Tokyo Olympics. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

On the August 4 training day, Biles opted not to engage with the media, but she greeted fans warmly, displaying a positive demeanor while joking with her teammates. The US Classic acts as the decisive qualifier for the upcoming US Gymnastics Championships in San Jose, later this month. Biles' long-term aspiration appears to be rejoining the US Olympic Team, aiming for the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France, scheduled to occur less than a year from today. Despite her two-year absence from the sport, Biles showcased her dominance in the competition without delay.

SIMONE. FREAKING. BILESpic.twitter.com/FkKj6p4ha3

— USA Gymnastics (@USAGym) August 6, 2023

Biles emerged from the event with an impressive haul of four medals – three gold and one bronze. Throughout the proceedings on August 5, she demonstrated that her time away from the sport had minimal impact on her skills, securing the All-Around gold by a amazing 5-point margin, a significant achievement in a sport where small differences matter. She also claimed gold medals in the beam and floor events and earned a bronze in the uneven bars. Looking ahead, Biles will focus on the upcoming US Championships, taking place later this month. Biles is likely to participate in the World Championships in Belgium at the end of September.

"I think the night went really well," following the meet, Biles expressed her thoughts. "Everything has fallen into place. I feel really good about where I am right now, mentally and physically. There are some things to work on in my routines, but for the first meet back, I would say it went pretty well. I'm very shocked and surprised."

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