"Despite the differences, cheer you on" - Simone Biles lauds the spirit of the Games as she unveils her favorite thing about an Olympic year

Simone Biles shared that her favorite part of the Olympic year is that people from all over the world set their differences aside and cheer the athletes on. Biles will take a trip to the Olympics for the third time after amassing seven medals across two Olympiads (2016 and 2020).

Biles, 27, has etched her name in history as the most decorated gymnast, tying with former US gymnast Shannon Miller for the most Olympic medals won by an American gymnast. She earned five medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics and was vying to extend that tally at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics where, having only won the balance beam bronze, she was compelled to withdraw midway through the competition in the wake of 'twisties.'

After she returned to competition in 2023 after a two-year hiatus, Biles earned back her top spot with back-to-back title wins, building up to the Paris Olympics.

In a recent conversation with US swimmer Missy Franklin via Laureus Sport, Biles shared that she loves that people forget all differences to unite at the Olympics to cheer their favorites on. She called the "Olympic spirit" her favorite thing about the year.

"My favorite thing about an Olympic year is definitely the Olympic spirit because when people come together and despite the differences cheer you on, root you on no matter what country you're from, no matter if you're male or female, so I think that's my favorite part. Seeing the American flag and knowing that you literally have an entire country behind you, like the best feeling ever," Biles said. [02:10]

Biles marked her return at the 2023 Classic, sharing that it was a "blessing" to her (via People):

"It honestly feels amazing to return to competition, I never thought I would compete again so this is a blessing."

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Simone Biles on how things changed for her over the years

Simone Biles won gold in the team, all-around, vault and floor exercise at the 2016 Rio Olympics along with the bronze in the balance beam. Since she was an Olympic debutant that year, the expectations of the world didn't burden her. But during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, she was called 'quitter' and 'loser' after withdrawing due to the 'twisties.'

While drawing a comparison between her first Olympic scenario and now, Biles shared that Paris would be more stressful since people know what to expect (via Olympics.com):

"I actually think there was something good about going into 2016 blindly because I didn’t know anything and the expectations weren’t as big as they are now. Now, having gone to two Olympics, every one I feel like gets a little more stressful because I know exactly what to expect."

Simone Biles will head to the Olympics with three of her fellow Tokyo Olympians - Jordan Chiles, Suni Lee and Jade Carey. The fifth member of the team, Hezyl Rivera, is a debutant.