Simone Biles Is Planning Her Return to Gymnastics
Gymnast Simone Biles is plotting her return to the sport she has dominated for years. Biles has been on hiatus since the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, where she took herself out of competition due to a mental block that gymnasts call "the twisties." Her announcement sparked a larger, ongoing conversation about athletes' mental health, particularly amid the coronavirus pandemic.
According to NBC News, Biles will return to the mat on August 5 at the U.S. Classic. The event is the primary tune-up meet for the U.S. Championships later in the month. Biles has yet to say if she plans for the 2024 Olympics.
Biles first announced that she was returning to competition in late June. She tweeted a message thanking fans for their support the next week.
Earlier this week, Biles took to her Instagram Story to answer some questions from fans—including one who asked her how she managed her mental health. "lots of therapy, I go once a week for almost 2 hours," she wrote in response, according to PopSugar. "I've had so much trauma, so being able to work on some of the traumas & work on healing is a blessing."
Biles is also newly married to Jonathan Owens--an NFL player who recently signed with the Green Bay Packers after a stint with the Houston Texans.
In 2019, Biles shared with Popsugar that having a strong support system is one of the things that keep her going. "[I] just surround myself with people who I love and who will give me good, positive vibes so that I can keep and stay healthy."
