Simone Biles made a radiant and highly anticipated comeback at the Paris Olympics on Sunday, eliciting thunderous applause from an enthusiastic, star-studded
audience in the French capital.
The most decorated gymnast in history is competing in her third Olympics after experiencing the "twisties" at the Tokyo Games—a condition where gymnasts temporarily lose spatial awareness during complex maneuvers.
In Tokyo, Biles withdrew from the team finals, sparking concerns about her future in the sport. However, after a two-year break and with the support of her teammates and a therapist, she made a spectacular return in Paris, reaffirming her status as one of the greatest athletes of all time.
The 27-year-old Biles started the competition on the balance beam, one of the most challenging apparatuses, earning a leading score of 14.733 points.
Dressed in a sparkling leotard adorned with thousands of Swarovski crystals, Biles smiled and exhaled as she glanced at the scoreboard following her first of four events.
Celebrities such as Snoop Dogg, Tom Cruise, and Anna Wintour were in attendance to witness Biles' remarkable return.
"I think she just competes by herself," said British gymnast Ruby Evans. "We've never had anyone like her before, and I don't think we ever will again." Photo by Agência Brasil Fotografias, Wikimedia commons.