What to Know about Simone Biles at the Paris Olympics: Absent from Opening Ceremony, Leg Issue, Public Criticism & More
Simone Biles’ appearance at the Paris Olympics is being discussed online for various reasons. The superstar gymnast missed the opening ceremony, experienced an issue with her leg, and is currently at the center of public criticism for how her hair looked.
The Paris Olympics have been in full swing for a few days now and the superstar competitors have already begun dazzling crowds with their sports prowess. Among these talents is Olympic gymnast Simone Biles who has gone viral for a few reasons. From missing the opening ceremony to having a leg issue, find out why the 27-year-old is the name on everybody’s lips.
User comment about Simone Biles, posted on July 28, 2024 | Source: X/@Greedyfly78
On July 26, hoards of athletes rode boats along Paris’ River Seine during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, Simone, along with some of the other members of the U.S.A. gymnasts team, was noticeably absent from the groups for a specific reason, which her doting mom, Nellie Biles, explained.
Simone Biles with some of her fellow team U.S.A. gymnasts, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, Sunisa Lee and Hezly Rivera, ahead of the Paris Olympic Games in Paris, France on July 23, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Speaking to “Today’s” Hoda Kotb, Nellie disclosed, “The first competition is Sunday, which is women’s qualifier, and, of course, she needs to rest up before that competition.”
Simone Biles during a training session at Gymnastics training centre in Le Bourget, France on July 22, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
When it came time for the Artistic Gymnastics Women’s Qualification on day 2 of the Olympics, July 28, Simone faced adversity amid the competition. Footage taken at the event showed the young athlete sitting on the sidelines with the U.S.A. Gymnastics team doctor Marcia Faustin.
Marcia Faustin and Simone Biles during the Artistic Gymnastics Women’s Qualification in Paris, France on July 28, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
The two ladies disappeared for a brief moment after which Simone returned with medical tape wrapped around her left leg. According to a news outlet, the gymnast had to get her leg taped due to tweaking her calf during her floor exercise warmup.
A close-up of Simone Biles’ bandaged ankle and calf during the Artistic Gymnastics Women’s Qualification in Paris, France on July 28, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
While the news outlet also reports that Simone was seen walking around the venue with a limp, she did not let it show once she got onto the competition floor.
Simone Biles during the Artistic Gymnastics Women’s Qualification in Paris, France on July 28, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Her grit and determination to continue despite being hurt juxtapose what happened three years ago at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics when she removed herself from final competitions to protect her well-being. This then prompted a wide-scale public discussion on mental health.
Simone Biles during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Women’s Gymnastics Balance Beam Final in Ariake, Tokyo on August 3, 2021 | Source: Getty Images
Upon hearing that Simone had suffered an injury during one of her warmups, many took to online platforms to assert their opinions, with most criticizing her. “Smart. This time, if she wants to quit, she can blame injury instead of nerves,”wrote an X user.
A close-up of Simone Biles’ bandaged ankle and calf during the Artistic Gymnastics Women’s Qualification in Paris, France on July 28, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Another social media user remarked, “The Drama Queen. Pretends to get hurt and then wins in order to get all the attention and steal the spotlight.”Similarly, someone else echoed, “Staged.”
Marcia Faustin and Simone Biles during the Artistic Gymnastics Women’s Qualification in Paris, France on July 28, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
“It’s always something with her, she’s not injured she just wants attention,”asserted an observer. Another person expressed, “Simone Biles hurt her leg today and is still leading in the standing. These people can’t do nothing with her.”
However, amid the flak, was a comment showing support for Simone, especially where her endurance and tenacity were concerned.
Simone Biles during the Artistic Gymnastics Women’s Qualification in Paris, France on July 28, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Alongside a gif from the Oscars which showed Hollywood stars giving a standing ovation in reaction to something with the words “BRAVO!!!!” attached to the image, an admirer praised Simone.
They commended, “Me in my living room at 3AM watching Simone Biles smash her floor routine on a taped up leg. #OlympicGames.”
Simone Biles during the Artistic Gymnastics Women’s Qualification in Paris, France on July 28, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Besides her leg injury, people have been buzzing about the fact that Simone, tweaked calf and all, not only managed to participate in her competition but also achieved an incredible milestone.
Simone Biles during the Artistic Gymnastics Women’s Qualification in Paris, France on July 28, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Video footage shared online shows Simone executing what is considered the “hardest vault in the world.” She hit a Yurchenko double pike, making her the first woman to do so at the Olympics. However, people still expressed concern for the gymnast upon seeing her perform with a wounded calf.
Simone Biles during the Artistic Gymnastics Women’s Qualification in Paris, France on July 28, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
“Oh no I hope she’s not injured because she’s limping a little,”commented an observer who saw the footage on YouTube. Another pointed out, “She hurt her foot or ankle… someone needs to ask her about it.”
Simone Biles during the Artistic Gymnastics Women’s Qualification in Paris, France on July 28, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Others focused their attention on how Simone’s hair looked. “She’s awesome 👏 but can someone fix her hair for her please?!”said an Instagram user. An X user jumped in with, “@Simone_Biles can we get a hair braid or something,”ending their message with an I-can’t-look face emoji.
Simone Biles during the Artistic Gymnastics Women’s Qualification in Paris, France on July 28, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
One social media user who felt particularly strongly about Simone’s hair, stated, “#SimoneBiles should have had an #FBA Beautician Do Her Hair In A Ballerina Style Updo/Bun, Or A Sleek Ponytail Before She Left For The #OlympicGames […] #Olympics […] #ParisOlympics #Paris #ParisOlympics2024 #Olympic2024.”
Simone Biles during a gymnastics training session ahead of the Paris Olympic Games in Le Bourget, France on July 23, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
While many may have had a lot to say about Simone Biles at the Paris Olympics, their comments do not take away from the fact that the young gymnast managed to achieve an incredible milestone. She did not allow herself to be defeated by her tweaked calf and persevered for her and her team.
