Simone Biles, the gymnastics superstar who has redefined the sport with Olympic and world gold medals, is “reverting to her goofy self at times” as she aims to make more history at the U.S. Olympic Trials, her coach, Cecil Lundy, said.
Biles had a brilliant career at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, winning four gold medals, but was forced to withdraw from the Tokyo Games, which were postponed due to the pandemic, due to problems with spatial orientation that gymnasts call “twisties.”
After a lengthy break, marrying NFL player Jonathan Owens and dealing with her mental health along the way, Biles has made an overwhelming return.
She will win five medals at the 2023 World Championships in Antwerp, remaining undefeated by winning the individual all-around and floor exercise at world championships for the sixth time each.
In Antwerp, she landed the Yurchenko double pike vault, now known as Biles II, the fifth move to her name making her the first woman to land the move in international competition.
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She started the 2024 season with an all-around win at the Core Hydration Classic and then won her ninth U.S. all-around title earlier this month.
Biles, who secured a place in Paris after winning the all-around title at the Minneapolis trials this week, is on track to become the only American female gymnast to compete in three Olympic Games, joining Muriel Grossfeld, Linda Metheny and Dominique Dawes.
As she approaches that milestone and the pressure that comes with being considered the greatest of all time, Lundy said Biles is benefiting from the work she's been doing outside the gym to keep her mentally balanced.
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“She's calm, she's laughing, she's back to her goofy self at times that we've missed a few times,” Lundy told reporters on Wednesday's pre-trials training day.
“So I think that's what sets her apart. She has some unique tools that help her stay calm and remember why she's here. And how to think positively.”
Randi said he has seen Biles' confidence grow since last October's world championships.
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“I think she had the confidence at the World Championships, but I don't think she had that this year,” Lundy said. “I think it just took a little bit longer in that respect.”
Biles competed in national championships this month and said she was enjoying gymnastics “without stress or anxiety.”
Randi said he saw a difference compared to how Biles was doing at the Tokyo trials.
“I think she's more mentally prepared than she was last time,” Lundy said. “She's obviously feeling the pressure, but I know she's ready.”
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