“I couldn’t have people tell me I was a quitter again” was a powerful motivator for Simone Biles as she made her return to gymnastics after competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics as the most decorated gymnast in U.S. history. Just before she took the stage at the Bercy Arena, Netflix dropped the first two episodes of her docuseries, Simone Biles Rising. It follows her inspiring return to gymnastics after a tough experience at the 2020 Tokyo Games and nearly two years away from competition and how her parents supported her at that tough time.
But in the Paris Olympics, Netflix’s cameras got special permission to follow Biles during the Paris Games, where she powered through a calf strain and still took home three gold medals and a silver. On October 3, Netflix released the trailer for Part 2 of the series, revealing an October 25 premiere date. Biles shared the news on X, writing, “so excited 🤍 can’t wait for these episodes to drop!” Fans were thrilled, but one moment in the trailer stood out. Biles says, “The goal is to win the Olympics. And then after that, we’ll see. Shh, because I’m only telling you guys.”
The trailer also gives a glimpse into how hard it was for Biles to prepare for Paris, especially at 27 years old. “Since I’m older, my body is like a ticking time bomb,” Biles said, which really shows the strain her journey has put on her physically, even as she continues to challenge herself in gymnastics, but her husband is always there for her.
Simone Biles’ comeback in Paris signified triumph over adversity
Simone Biles has had a tough journey from the very beginning. Her biological mother struggled with drug addiction, which resulted in her being placed in foster care until her grandparents, Nellie and Ron, adopted her. Throughout her career, Biles has been open about her mental health challenges, especially when she made the tough decision to withdraw from the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. She later explained that she was dealing with the “twisties.”. But despite these hurdles, Biles made a comeback and qualified for the Paris Olympics, even though she’s older than many of her teammates.
At the same time, throughout her journey, Simone Biles has always had a constant supporter by her side: her husband, Jonathan Owens. He really gets what she’s been through, especially when she had to withdraw from the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Even though she’s known as the greatest gymnast of all time with 30 medals, including 27 golds, she admitted to feeling “the weight of the world on [her] shoulders.”
In the documentary “Simone Biles Rising,” Jonathan talks about the importance of being vulnerable, saying, “You want to be the most human you can be with each other because it’s hard being in the public eye.” It’s clear he’s got her back, especially when he cheered her on at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, where she snagged three more golds and a silver.
But Simone Biles isn’t rushing to make plans for the 2028 Games. When she appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, she humorously addressed the constant questions about her future, saying, “Can’t I live?” At 27, she knows aging in gymnastics can be tough, but she loves her youth outside the sport. Reflecting on her successful comeback in Paris, she mentioned it was especially meaningful, saying it was a “redemption” after her struggles in Tokyo. Now, she’s focused on inspiring the next generation and ensuring her legacy goes beyond just winning.
