Simone Biles to headline Gold Over America Tour following Paris 2024
Seven-time Olympic gymnastics medallist Simone Biles is coming to a city near you – again!
The 26-year-old will once again tour the United States in an arena show following the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris later this year.
Titled ‘Gold Over America Tour,’ the show is a nod to a ‘greatest of all time’ moniker and is set for 30 cities across the U.S.
In addition to Biles, the tour website lists two-time World all-around medallist Shilese Jones, 2023 World all-around bronze medallist Fred Richard and 2023 World team bronze medallist Melanie de Jesus dos Santos as confirmed participants.
The inclusion of men, like Richard, is a shift from the show's premise three years ago.
"I think the first time we were very driven on female-forward cast and having the beauty in that and knowing that we can put on a show without the guys and just having the girls being in their feminine power and being beautiful and being the stars," Biles told the Associated Press. "But this time around we're like 'OK, that worked but let's do it a little bit differently, let's invite the men.'"
The tour's website describes the show as, “a high-octane, action-packed experience. Prepare for a pop concert-style spectacle showcasing athletic brilliance, championship journeys and of course, the Gold Squad dancers.”
Gold Over America is set to begin 17 September at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, California, with stops in major American cities including LA (20 September), Chicago (29 September) and Brooklyn (5 October).
British gymnasts Becky and Ellie Downie receive MBEs at Windsor Castle
Gymnastics royalty met British royalty on Wednesday (6 March) as Olympic gymnasts Becky and Ellie Downie were honoured with MBEs (Member of the Order of the British Empire) at Windsor Castle.
The Princess Royal, Anne, bestowed the awards on the sisters who were recognised “for services to Gymnasts and the Sport of Gymnastics,” according to a list of New Years Honours.
The Downies were vocal about abusive practices inside the sport in the U.K. Their speaking up has led to reforms within British Gymnastics over the last several years.
“It definitely makes it feel that we 100% did the right thing, and we're pushing the sport in the right direction,” the 24-year-old Ellie Downie said, according to the BBC. "I'm a year post-retirement, I definitely wasn't expecting anything to come like this. Now that we've done the ceremony and got the award in our hands, it's definitely mind-blowing and an honour to be recognised in such a remarkable way.”
Becky Downie, 32, has continued in the sport and is targeting the Paris Games.
"This [MBE] is something that is forever and that means more than any medal could," she said. "This year is highly likely to be my final year. I've been striving for a medal for my whole career. So that would be the icing on the cake."
From the vault…
This week, we take a look back at Team Brazil on the floor exercise during women’s qualifying at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. The squad was led by 2003 World floor exercise champion Daiane dos Santos on the event.