This Is Why Simone Biles Wasn't With Team USA At The Olympics Opening Ceremony
Americans watching yesterday's Paris Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony may have noticed that one of the biggest names representing Team USA was missing.
Soon word got around social media that among the 500+ American Olympians on board a giant boat that introduced them to the French people and viewers at home - 4x Gymnastics Gold Medalist Simone Biles was nowhere to be found.
Surely, if LeBron James, who has had his share of controversial socio-political viewpoints in the past was not only attending the Opening Ceremony boat parade but also would be chosen as America's official flag bearer, then Simone Biles would be present as well, right?
But fear not everyone - Simone Biles is not anti-American, and she isn't injured either. Rather, as her parents explained during the NBC Olympic broadcast to try and calm fans down, Biles and the rest of the women's gymnastic team were given permission to skip the ceremony in order to rest up for Sunday's first competition.
SOME WERE CONCERNED THAT BILES WAS INJURED OR SICK
"The first competition is Sunday, which is a women’s qualifier, so of course, she needs to rest up before that competition," Nellie Biles told NBC. "I spoke to her this morning, and she’s doing great. She’s just in a really good place."
At one point in the over 4-hour broadcast, Biles' mom facetimed her along with Snoop Dogg as they stood in the pouring rain with NBC host Hoda Kotb to send their good luck wishes for the star Olympian ahead of Sunday's qualifiers.
Athletes were informed that Friday's Opening Ceremony could have them on their feet for at least 9 hours - not ideal for gymnasts being scored on every minuscule muscle movement during their performance. Biles wasn't the only female gymnast to skip out on the ceremony, as Suni Lee, Hezly Rivera, Jordan Chiles and Jade Carey all opted out as well. All attendees also had to deal with an absolute torrential downpour that didn't let up for hours as everyone was absolutely soaked - not ideal for anyone, but especially those who have the first competition.
SIMONE LOOKING TO REDEEM HERSELF THIS OLYMPICS
During the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the world renowned star Biles withdrew from several competitions after stumbling during her vault performance and then not competing at all in the team final. Biles cited that she had "the twistys," which is a term for when gymnastics deal with mental and focus issues while performing.
Despite eventually returning and winning a bronze medal in the balance beam final, some still criticized Biles claiming that she let her team down. A ridiculous claim considering those doing the criticizing have probably never stepped foot in any gymnastics competitions.
Throughout the past couple days, all in attendance during Simone's gymnastics practices say she's more focused than ever before and ready to prove the haters wrong. She'll be able to do just that during the women's gymnastics qualifying round which begins on Sunday at 3:30am eastern.
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