"Team Final was emotional" - Simone Biles' mother Nellie breaks down in tears as she reflects on the gymnast's journey after Tokyo Olympics heartbreak

Simone Biles' mother Nellie became emotional as she reflected on her daughter's comeback at the 2024 Paris Olympics after the challenging 2020 Tokyo Games where the 27-year-old faced significant psycho-physiological issues known as the 'twisties' during her vault event. She suffered lapses in spatial awareness mid-air and struggling to continue, completed 1.5 rotations instead of 2.5.

Following this, Biles withdrew from several events to prioritize her health, including the all-around, team final, vault, and floor exercise. The Olympic champion faced considerable criticism after her decision. Some accused her of being a "quitter" and "weak." People argued that she should have pushed through the mental challenges and competed for the team and her country.

Pulling through the struggles, Biles helped the US team win the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics with a score of 14.666. Reflecting on those pivotal moments, Nellie Biles' emotional reaction has been captured in Episode 4 of the Netflix series "Simone Biles Rising". She shares the depth of their journey, highlighting the significance of Biles' return to the spotlight after her 2021 struggles.

Sharing her thoughts before her daughter's performance in the individual round that night, Biles' mother said:

"I know what Simone has gone through. Because I've been through this journey with Simone. Everything's gonna feel like, it all came together, regardless of turmoil, of tribulations, the hardships. You [referring to Biles] could still succeed in the end. Team final was emotional, but it's gonna be nothing like tonight. That'll be nothing like tonight. Tonight will be so worth it. It'll be so worth it." [25:10]

Biles clinched two more gold medals at the all-around and vault events at the 2024 Games.

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"Simone Biles relies on us as a family to be there for her" - Gymnast's mother, Nellie Biles

Simone Biles (2nd from left) and her family at the Los Angeles Premiere Of Netflix's "Simone Biles Rising: Part 2"-Photo: Getty

Simone Biles's parents, Nellie and Ronald Biles have been her unwavering support system throughout her career. In "Simone Biles Rising" she credited her parents for being her constant source of strength, especially, during her decision to step down at the Tokyo Olympics.

In the series' first episode aired in July 2024, "Write Me Down In History", the tension and pressure of the Tokyo Games are explored when Biles calls her mother to inform her of her decision to withdraw. She responded:

"I don't want you going out there if you're not in a good place, and you don't need to go out there and hurt yourself. That's just not right, okay? You need to take care of yourself. Okay? I love you." [16:23]

Nellie Biles further says of her daughter in Episode 3 aired last month:

"She was always excited about wearing her competition leotard and me combing her hair. Because she relies on us as a family, to be there for her, to listen to her." [22:13]

Biles' father said:

"Just go out there and have fun and be yourself. And whether you win or lose, we still gonna love you. That's it. We still feel the same way."

After her performances at the Paris Games, Biles is the most decorated athlete in gymnastics history.