Simone Biles to compete at Paris Olympics, achieves historic milestone

Simone Biles is headed to Paris for the 2024 Olympic Games. 

On Sunday, June 30, at the conclusion of the U.S. Olympic trials in Minneapolis, Biles secured her spot on the women's gymnastics team, making her only the fourth U.S. female gymnast to qualify for three Olympic teams. 

She joins the ranks of Muriel Grossfeld, Linda Metheny, and Dominique Dawes.

“It’ll be wonderful to see her outshine what I had done many decades ago,” Dawes, a 1996 gold medalist, 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.” 

Dawes added, “I keep saying this, but I could even see her training for the 2028 Games in L.A. … She is that talented.”

Following the trials, Biles attributed her success to "trusting the process" and regular Thursday therapy appointments. "I knew I’d be back," she said.

The road to Paris has been both triumphant and challenging for the 27-year-old gymnast. At the Tokyo Games in 2021, Biles withdrew from four final events, ultimately securing a bronze medal in the balance beam. 

She cited mental health struggles and the onset of "twisties"—a condition causing gymnasts to lose their spatial awareness—as reasons for her withdrawal.

“I truly do feel like I have the weight of the world on my shoulders at times,” Biles told fans during the Tokyo Games after experiencing uncharacteristic errors in the qualifying round.

In 2023, Biles returned to competition at the U.S. Classic, winning gold in the all-around competition. She continued her winning streak at the 2023 U.S. national championships and the world championships. 

In 2024, she claimed the top title at the national gymnastics championships.

Biles has been vocal about her evolving role in gymnastics. On June 19, Netflix released the trailer for her new four-part docuseries "Simone Biles Rising," which will premiere on July 17, just before the start of the 2024 Olympics. 

The series explores her decision to withdraw from the Tokyo competitions and her mental health journey leading up to the Paris Games. It features behind-the-scenes footage, her competitions in 2023, and intimate moments with her husband, NFL safety Jonathan Owens.

Biles also features in Athleta’s “Power of She” campaign, where she declares, “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.”

“I’m so proud to be part of the Athleta family and hope that when women and young girls see this spot, they feel like they can step into their own power, build confidence and help celebrate our collective strength, embodying the Power of She,” Biles told PEOPLE.