The world’s most decorated gymnast ever Simone Biles made her return to gymnastics following a hiatus after the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in 2023 look easy, as she soared to a record eighth U.S. all-around crown and a sixth global title weeks later.
But, the 26-year-old says appearances may not be exactly as they seem.
“I felt like I was back in my element and it was exciting,” Biles told Vanity Fair magazine for its February issue of which she graces the cover. “But I was truly petrified. I had the training to back it up because we worked really hard, [but] I wasn’t as confident or as comfortable as I wanted to be.”
Despite the nerves, Biles won five medals including four golds at the 2023 World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium, site of her first global championships a decade earlier.
With 37 World and Olympic medals, Biles is the most decorated athlete the sport has ever seen. Her Antwerp haul pushed her past previous record holder Vitaly Scherbo’s 33 career medals.
While Biles has yet to announce her competition schedule for 2024, it’s likely fans may have to wait until May’s U.S. Classic to see the superstar back in action.