Simone Biles has received nothing but praise from one of the best gymnasts of all time.

 

At an Olympic preview event, PEOPLE spoke with five-time Olympic gold medallist Nadia Comăneci, who forecasted big things for Biles, who presently holds four gold medals.

Comăneci, 62, told PEOPLE at the Gold Meets Golden event in March, which was held in advance of the 2024 Paris Games, “Everyone is come to watch her compete.”

 

Comăneci clarified, “This is what she’s doing today for this generation,” in response to a question concerning the technical standard that Biles, 27, has raised in the sport. She’s at such a height that everyone is staring at her and exclaiming, “Yeah, I’ll attempt to accomplish it in my own way.”

 

Bringing an arsenal of challenging manoeuvres (including five unique talents named after her), Biles is competing in her third Games after Tokyo in 2021 and Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

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With the top score, Team USA will compete in the team all-around final on Tuesday, July 30. Leading the qualifiers is Biles, who won the Rio Olympics’ individual all-around final on Thursday. Sunisa Lee, her teammate and the Tokyo all-around winner, will be her opponent. Even though Biles suffered a minor calf injury during qualifying, he is still highly favoured.

“What makes her a champion,” according to Comăneci, is her unwavering tenacity, particularly after she withdrew from multiple competitions in Tokyo after receiving “the twisties.”

The gymnast, who was born in Romania, remarked, “She is given this opportunity to learn who you are, to overcome barriers and encourage the younger generation.” “She is one of those people that inspires every generation.”

After competing on the Beam in the Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Qualification on day two of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on July 28, 2024 in Paris, France, Simone Biles of Team USA reacts.

Simon Biles competes in the 2024 Olympic qualification event for women’s artistic gymnastics in Paris. GETTY/NAOMI BAKER

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“Almost a half decade ago, but thank you!” Comăneci sheepishly laughed in response to being reminded of her own reputation as an idol.

 

She also talked about her own Olympic history, which included competing in the Montreal Summer Games as a young adolescent in 1976.

 

“In the first one [1976], I broke down barriers at the age of 14, back when there weren’t many sports available for female athletes. First and youngest among us was myself. Speaking of equality, women are able to participate in any sport that men undertake. However, many years ago, many said that girls weren’t capable of doing it. I concluded through my gymnastics, “Yeah they can!”

 

Comăneci was one of the athletes in the torch relay that took part in Friday’s July 26 Opening Ceremony. She was on the speedboat with tennis greats Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal, and Carl Lewis as the torch was brought ashore.

 

She intends to watch a wide range of events while in Paris.

“Gymnastics is 12 days long, so perhaps after it’s over I can watch swimming and track and field!” she exclaimed with excitement.

 

 

Gymnast Simone Biles chases her first Paris Olympic gold.

Tuesday is expected to see Simone Biles win her first gold in gymnastics at the Olympics since 2016. Meanwhile, the men’s triathlon in Paris was scheduled to begin on time, but was postponed by a day owing to pollution in the Seine.

 

In the women’s team final, America’s Biles looks to be back at the top of her game as she guides her country on what is being called a redemption quest.

 

At the Rio 2016 Olympics, the 27-year-old—who is regarded as the greatest gymnast of all time—won four gold medals.

But three years ago, during the pandemic-affected Tokyo Olympics, she fought the disorienting mental block gymnasts refer to as the “twisties.”

 

After winning gold in 2012 and 2016, Biles abruptly withdrew from the most of her events, including the team final, and the US had to settle for silver behind Russia.

 

The 23-time world champion Biles took home a silver and a bronze medal. Although she received a lot of praise for discussing her mental health, other people accused her of putting her own interests ahead of that of her nation.

 

Biles stated of the US effort to reclaim the women’s team title, “It has to be for us.”

 

Nobody else’s benefit is possible. We participate because we enjoy the sport, ourselves, and representing the United States.”

 

Despite straining her left calf and competing with her leg taped, Biles dazzled an A-list audience in Paris on Sunday during her first-ever trip in the French city as the US team won the qualification standings.

 

contamination of rivers

The goal of organising the triathlon and marathon swimming on the river, which is bordered by some of the most well-known sites in Paris, was to produce memories of the Games that would last a lifetime.