The 2024 Paris Olympics will always hold a special place in Simone Biles’ heart!
In an interview with NBC on Monday, Aug. 5, the Olympic champion, 27, shared how she was in a more positive place competing in the French capital than previous Games.
“This time around was really special,” Biles said, per Today. “I’m a lot happier and I chose to do this. So at the end of the day, whatever happens, happens. But I’m in a good spot mentally and physically, so you can’t take that away from me. So whenever I’m out there, it’s just pure joy. Can’t believe I’m out there again, competing.”
“The legacy, I feel like, is just having fun, doing what you love …” Biles continued. “It’s worth it because … You work your whole entire life for moments like this to represent your country on an Olympic stage, and we did just that this weekend. So we’re so proud.”
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Earlier in the day, Biles closed out her competition in style by banking a silver medal in the women’s floor final.
The second-place finish marked Biles’ fourth medal of the Games and her 11th Olympic medal overall. The medal joined Biles’ gold in the women’s all-around final, gold in the women’s vault final and gold in the women’s team final with Team USA.
The athlete, who is the most decorated U.S. gymnast in Olympic history, also fell during the balance beam final on Monday and placed in 5th position with a score of 13.100.
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Speaking In a press conference after the floor final, Biles told reporters she was immensely proud of her performance, especially considering the difficult road she’d had in getting herself back into competition shape.
“I’ve accomplished way more than my wildest dreams, not just as this Olympics, but in this sport,” she said. “I can’t be mad at my performances. A couple of years ago I didn’t think I’d be back here at an Olympic games.”
Biles was forced to withdraw from several events at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 after she was struck with a bout of the “twisties,” which made it difficult for her to safely perform her highly technical flips.
“Competing and then walking away with four medals, I’m not mad about it,” she added of her comeback. “I’m pretty proud of myself, and it’s always so exciting to compete.”
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In Tokyo, Biles earned bronze in the balance beam final and silver in the women’s team final with Team USA. The 2016 Olympic Games in Rio saw the athlete take home four gold medals and a bronze in the balance beam final.
Talking to the BBC ahead of her appearance in Paris, Biles said she was “fighting my body and my mind to do these tricks,” during the Games in Tokyo and said her gymnastics was “already janky” before heading into the competition.
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