Simone Biles Will Compete at Paris Olympics, Only the 4th Woman to Make 3 Gymnastics Teams

Simone Biles Will Compete at Paris Olympics, Only the 4th Woman to Make 3 Gymnastics Teams

Simone Biles has once again etched her name in the annals of gymnastics history. The legendary American gymnast, often hailed as one of the greatest of all time, has officially secured a spot on the U.S. women’s gymnastics team for the upcoming Paris Olympics. This milestone, achieved at the 2024 U.S. Olympic trials in Minneapolis on June 30, makes her only the fourth female gymnast in U.S. history to qualify for three Olympic teams. She joins the elite company of Muriel Grossfeld, Linda Metheny, and Dominique Dawes.

Dominique Dawes, a gold medalist from the 1996 Olympics, expressed her admiration and excitement for Biles’ achievement. "It’ll be wonderful to see her outshine what I had done many decades ago," Dawes told PEOPLE. "She’s definitely deserved it. I’m sure she’s not only going to help the team medal but also she’s going to individually medal as well. I keep saying this, but I could even see her training for the 2028 Games in L.A. … She is that talented."

For the 27-year-old Biles, the path to Paris has been marked by both triumph and tribulation. During the Tokyo Games in 2021, Biles made headlines by withdrawing from four final events, citing mental health struggles and a phenomenon known in gymnastics as the "twisties," which caused her to lose her sense of spatial awareness while airborne. Despite being a favorite for multiple gold medals, she only competed in the balance beam final, where she earned a bronze medal.

Reflecting on her journey, Biles credited her return to elite competition to "trusting the process" and her regular Thursday therapy appointments. "I knew I’d be back," she stated simply after the trials concluded.

In 2023, Biles made a powerful comeback at the U.S. Classic, where she claimed the all-around title. She continued her winning streak by securing first place in the all-around competitions at the 2023 U.S. National Championships and the 2023 World Championships. Earlier in 2024, she also took home the top title at the National Gymnastics Championships.

Biles has been candid about her evolving role in the sport and her ongoing mental health journey. Netflix is set to release a four-part docuseries titled Simone Biles Rising on July 17, which documents her decision to withdraw from the Tokyo competitions and her preparations for the Paris Olympics. The series features behind-the-scenes footage from Tokyo, her 2023 competitions, and personal moments with her husband, NFL safety Jonathan Owens, whom she married in April 2023.

In addition to her athletic achievements, Biles has become a prominent figure in promoting women’s empowerment. She recently joined Athleta’s "Power of She" campaign, declaring, "For bold choices on big stages, for pounding hearts and personal bests. For hearing yourself over the crowd and landing in your power. We are here." Speaking to PEOPLE, Biles shared her pride in being part of the Athleta family and her hope that women and young girls will feel empowered and confident through the campaign.

Biles’ story continues to inspire countless fans around the world. As the Paris Olympics approach, the anticipation for her performances grows, with many looking forward to seeing her compete on the global stage once more. For more updates and coverage on the Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls, visit TeamUSA.com and PEOPLE.com, and tune in to NBC and Peacock starting July 26 for the Paris Olympics.