Simone Biles’ dedicated followers were elated to see her back in international competition, but it almost didn’t happen. On October 8, 2023, Biles, at 26 years old, was officially recognized as the most decorated gymnast in history. This occurred after her participation in the 2023 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships. She won gold in the individual all-around, balance beam, and floor exercises, and took silver in the vault. The United States team also won gold, increasing Biles’ total world championship medals to 37.
The event in Antwerp, Belgium, was her first international competition in two years, and her performance made an impact. A viewer mentioned on social media that they didn’t think Biles would compete again, to which she admitted she had her own reservations. Biles expressed her feelings about the emotionally charged competition, stating that it meant everything to her to be back, feeling both comfortable and confident enough to compete.
Prior to this championship, Biles had taken an extended break. She experienced a condition known as the “twisties” during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, which led her to withdraw and focus on her mental well-being. She made her official comeback to the sport in August, aiming for the 2024 Olympics. She won first place in vault, floor, and balance beam, and secured third place in uneven bars.
Biles shared her feelings about her return, especially after the challenges of the past year. She continues to attend therapy sessions weekly and expressed her gratitude for the ongoing support from fans. She elaborated that she always intended to return to gymnastics after the Tokyo incident. She worked on herself and now believes in herself more, taking the initial steps to compete again.
