"I was petrified" - When Simone Biles opened up about feeling anxious about her return to gymnastics after Tokyo Olympics

Simone Biles once opened up about being petrified to return to the mat after more than a year of hiatus following the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Biles made her Olympic comeback at the 2024 Paris Games, winning three gold medals in the team, all-around, and vault, and took silver in the floor competition.

At the Tokyo Olympics, Biles faced 'twisties', a mental block that occurs when gymnasts lose mental and physical coordination while performing mid-air. She withdrew midway through the competition, losing her all-around podium bid and the opportunity to defend her Rio Olympic overall title. She only won the team silver and bronze in the balance beam.

After the setback, Biles took a break from her sport, taking care of mental health and inspiring athletes by normalizing discussions about mental blocks. Gearing up for her gymnastics return at the 2023 US Classic, Biles took to her Instagram story to respond to a fan who asked about her most difficult event after her comeback.

Biles shared that performing any kind of twists was hard, especially because she detached herself from gymnastics for more than a year. She said, via Pop Sugar:

"It's always bars.. mentally & physically. but this go around..... BABY!!! twisting on any event. iykyk. mainly because when the twisties happen, you go right into the gym & work on it. I took over a year and off and THEN came back... So I was petrified. But I'm fine [now]. I'm twisting again. No worries. All is good."

Simone Biles won the all-around title at the 2023 Hydration Core Classic and repeated her feat at the US Nationals and World Championships. She defended her all-around titles at the 2024 US Classic and National Championships before her Paris stint.

Simone Biles shed light on why she might not return to compete at the 2028 LA Olympics

Simone Biles at the Minnesota Vikings v Chicago Bears - (Source: Getty)

Simone Biles won 30 World and 11 Olympic medals, becoming the most decorated US gymnast and the second-most successful Olympic gymnast in history. Despite her dominance in the sport, the 27-year-old said it would be greedy of her if she goes back for another Olympics since she already accomplished so much.

As per Biles' statement, during an interview with Sports Illustrated, starting a family and spending time with her husband Jonathan Owens might be worth comprising at her age.

"I’ve accomplished so much, there’s almost nothing left to do, rather than to just be snobby and to try again and for what? I’m at a point in my career where I’m humble enough to know when to be done," she said.

Biles further noted:

“If you go back, you’ll be greedy. Those are the consequences. But that’s also your decision to decide. What sacrifices would be made if I go back now? When you’re younger, it’s like, prom, college. Now it’s like, starting a family, being away from my husband. What’s really worth it?”

Simone Biles recently received the Sportsperson of the Year honor from Sports Illustrated.