As Simone Biles gears up for her third Olympic Games, the famed gymnast humorously revisits her past remarks while offering an apology to her former team captain and friend, Aly Raisman.
- Jul 2, 2024
AceShowbiz - Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history, has achieved another incredible milestone by qualifying for her third Olympic Games. Now at 27 years old, Biles has a new perspective on age and a humorous reflection on her past comments about former team captain Aly Raisman.
During a press conference following her successful qualification for the U.S. Olympic women's gymnastics team on June 30, Biles offered a heartfelt and funny apology to Raisman.
"I definitely have to apologize to Aly for calling her grandma because, whew, I feel like I'm way older now than me calling her grandma when we were younger," Biles said, recalling a time in January 2016 when she playfully dubbed Raisman, who was 22 at the time, the "grandma" of the team.
The camaraderie and playful banter between the two gymnasts were evident, with Raisman once turning the tables by posting a social media photo of a napping Biles, captioning it, "Who's the grandma now guys?"
Reflecting on her own aging process and the toll gymnastics takes on the body, Biles explained how her recovery process has drastically changed since the Rio Games eight years ago.
She jokingly acknowledged her current standing as one of the oldest gymnasts competing, "And you know, it's what 11 [p.m.]? So, it's definitely past my bedtime, so I know Aly would be cracking up right now. But yeah, it's crazy. I'm a lot older and more mature."
Biles candidly described the physical challenges she faces now, noting, "I definitely have to take care of recovery mentally, physically. After Classics, I swore I couldn't walk. I was like hobbling to the plane, so that was exciting. After Championships, I felt a little bit better and after day one of Trials, I was actually surprised I could walk. So I was like, 'Woo, I'm actually not as sore, I'm not hurting.'"
As Biles prepares for the Paris Games, she also views this as an opportunity for redemption after the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where she battled a severe case of the "twisties" and had to withdraw from most of her events. With a more mature outlook, Biles is now the fourth American woman ever to make it to three gymnastics teams, determined to perform at her best and aiming for another shot at gold.
The upcoming Paris Olympics promises to be a pivotal moment for Biles, who continues to inspire fans with her resilience and unparalleled skill. As young athletes and supporters worldwide watch her journey, Biles remains a beacon of dedication and perseverance in the sport of gymnastics.
