Surprise! Houston Star Gymnast Simone Biles Is Returning to Competition. Is Paris ’24 Next?

Surprise! Houston Star Gymnast Simone Biles Is Returning to Competition. Is Paris ’24 Next?

(image from @simonebiles on Instagram)

IN SHOCKING SPORTS news, Simone Biles is back in action!


Multiple news outlets have reported that Houston’s Biles — the gymnastics superstar, whose expected dominance of the 2021 games in Tokyo did not materialize, as she chose not to compete in some events due to mental health concerns — is returning to elite competition.

Biles “is part of the women's field for the single-day event set for Aug. 5” in Estates, Ill., per ESPN.

The seven-time Olympic medalist and 2016 Olympic champ hasn’t formally competed since the events in Japan. The unexpected return has already spurred widespread speculation that Biles will seek to compete in next year’s summer games in Paris.

Biles herself has not commented. Her most recent Instagram posts refer to her marriage to former Houston Texans football player Jonathan Owens in Cabo early last month. She and Jones, who was just traded to the Green Bay Packers, are currently building a new house together in Spring. She's chronicled much of this on her popular 'Gram page; see below.

Among a career of accolades and accomplishments, Biles is currently ranked No. 4 in CityBook’s “Cool 100” list of the coolest people in Houston. Two other athletes are in the top four: Astros slugger Jeremy Peña at No. 3 and, at No. 1, Jordan Santana, the 20-year-old skateboard phenom who’s already stated her desire to compete on Team USA next summer in France.

Biles, 26, is the most decorated American gymnast ever.

Style
Leadership in Action: ‘Family, Community and Spiritual Connection’ Drives Success for Henry Richardson

How did you get to where you are today? The present moment is a combined history of my family, my time as an athlete, my passion for learning, and my desire to see the world be better. I grew up as a successful springboard and platform diver, however, an injury caused me to seek alternative treatments to heal my body. In that process, I discovered the power of yoga, exercise, meditation, mindset, and nutrition. This holistic approach eventually led me to open a Pilates and cycling studio called DEFINE body & mind. I opened studios around the nation, and after selling most of my business between 2017-2019, I was ready to explore how I could make an even greater impact on the wellbeing of our community. In 2023, I started actively working on a brand new multi-family/apartment concept called, Define Living. The idea focused on offering health and wellness services within a beautiful apartment setting to increase the wellbeing of our residents. Having a strong sense of community is the number one factor in living a happy life, so why not build a community where daily fitness, cooking classes, and social connection are the norm? We opened Define Living in March of 2024, and we couldn’t be happier with how things are being received. We are already looking at building more concepts like this in the Houston area and beyond.

Keep Reading Show less

Cyndy Garza Roberts, Stephanie Ramos, Michele Leal Farah, Vicky Dominguez and Leisa Holland Nelson Bowman

WITH A GOAL of ensuring access to quality healthcare for underserved families in Houston’s East End, El Centro de Corazón has been making a difference for 30 years. Its annual Making a Difference luncheon, this year chaired by Vicky Dominguez with honorary chairs Leisa Holland Nelson Bowman and Leila Perrin, raised more than $150,000.

Keep Reading Show less
Parties

ONE CANNOT ACCUSE Houston’s Axiom Quartet of playing it safe. When it comes to exploring the outer limits of string quartet repertoire, engaging audiences who don’t normally attend classical music concerts, and putting in the collective time necessary to nail the gnarly idiosyncrasies of 20th- and 21st-century composers, Axiom continues to walk the walk as they talk the talk.

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment