Has Simone Biles ever been a flag bearer for Team USA at Olympic Games? All about gymnast's varied roles at the quadrennial event

The Olympic medal tally of Simone Biles reached 11 after her stellar performance in the Paris Games. She has competed in three Olympics: the 2016 Rio Games, the 2020 Tokyo Games, and the 2024 Paris Games. She has fulfilled multiple roles exceptionally in various editions, including the flag bearer and team captain.

The most decorated US gymnast made her Olympic debut in 2016, where she won a total of five medals: four gold and one bronze. This includes a gold medal in the team event and three individual golds in the all-around, vault, and floor-exercise events. She nabbed the bronze medal on the balance beam.

In the same edition, Simone Biles also became the first female gymnast and black woman to be the US flag bearer in the Olympics closing ceremony. She was extremely proud to be honored with this opportunity at the 2016 Rio Olympics. She had said: (as quoted by Andscape.com)

"This experience has been the dream of a lifetime for me and my team, and I consider it a privilege to represent my country, the United states Olympic Committee and USA Gymnastics by carrying our flag."

Another role played by Biles, in her next Olympics in Tokyo, was that of team captain. She led the women's gymnastics team that included Jordan Chiles, Suni Lee, Jade Carey, Grace McCallum, and MyKayla Skinner. However, Biles had to withdraw from the competition, after experiencing twisties during the vault. It is a condition that causes mental blockage in the gymnast.

In Tokyo, she got two medals, one silver and one bronze in the team and balance beam, respectively. After struggling in 2021, the American gymnast made her comeback in the 2024 Paris Olympics. She again was the captain of the women's team, which included Jordan Chiles, Suni Lee, Jade Carey, and Hezley Rivera.

Biles reestablished her greatness in the 2024 edition, becoming the most decorated gymnast of the year. She won three gold medals in the team event, all-around, and vault, and one silver in the floor exercise.

Simone Biles opens up about the end of her Paris Olympics campaign

Simone Biles ended her Paris Olympics quest with four medals and recently spoke about it on the Today Show. She talked about her experience at the event, where she cried her 'eyes out' and was full of emotion.

"Yesterday when we got back to the village I looked at Jordan and I just started bawling my eyes out and he was like I knew it was gonna happen."

She added:

"I think I was so full of emotion and I finally released all of that. I was so proud, happy, and bittersweet that the journey is over and it's so crazy that it happened so quick, my third Olympics."

After her 2024 wins, Simone Biles became the first woman to win two Olympic all-around and vault titles since Vera Caslavska in 1964 and 1968.